Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wet slightly, to dampen: To make something slightly wet by letting it absorb a small amount of liquid, often water. The action is gentle and results in a state of being moist, not soaked.
   • To sip, to take a small sip (of a drink): To drink a very small amount of liquid, often tea, coffee, or alcohol, by taking tiny sips. This meaning is common in the context of tasting or drinking slowly.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to wet slightly):

  • Cô ấy nhấp chiếc khăn vào nước để lau mặt cho bé. (She dampened the towel in water to wipe the child's face.)
  • Trước khi ủi, bạn nên nhấp quần áo một chút. (Before ironing, you should slightly dampen the clothes.)

• Verb (to sip):

  • Ông cụ ngồi nhấp từng ngụm trà nóng. (The old man sat sipping his hot tea.)
  • Anh ấy chỉ nhấp một ngụm rượu nhỏ để nếm thử. (He only took a small sip of wine to taste it.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhấp nháp": This is a reduplicative form that emphasizes the action of taking repeated, tiny sips or eating/drinking in a very slow, savoring manner.

  • Cậu bé nhấp nháp ly nước cam cả buổi sáng. (The boy sipped slowly at his glass of orange juice all morning.)

• "nhấp môi": Literally "to wet one's lips," often used figuratively to mean taking a tiny sip, especially of alcohol, or to show eagerness.

  • Anh ta chỉ nhấp môi chút rượu cho vui. (He just wetted his lips with a little wine for fun.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thấm (Verb): To absorb, to soak up. While "nhấp" implies an active, gentle application of liquid, "thấm" focuses more on the passive absorption.
• Ướt (Adjective): Wet. "Nhấp" describes the action to achieve a state that is slightly wet ("hơi ướt").
• Nốc (Verb, informal): To chug, to drink quickly in large gulps. This is the opposite action of "nhấp" in the context of drinking.
• Nhâm nhi (Verb): To savor slowly, to nibble or sip leisurely. This is very close in meaning to "nhấp" when referring to drinking/eating slowly, but "nhâm nhi" can apply to both food and drink and implies more enjoyment.

Synonyms

• Làm ẩm (Verb): To moisten, to humidity. A more formal synonym for the "wetting" meaning.
• Nếm (Verb): To taste. Similar to "nhấp" when it involves taking a small sip to taste a drink.
• Húp (Verb): To sip (often from a spoon, like soup). It implies a slightly more substantial sip than "nhấp."

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Nhấp giọng (idiomatic): This phrase is not standard. The correct idiom for clearing one's throat before speaking is "hắng giọng" or "đằng hắng."
• Nhấp chuột (Compound Noun): This is a compound word meaning "to click a mouse" (computer). It is listed here as a related word but is a distinct term where "nhấp" mimics the light, quick pressing action.

Related Idioms

• Nhấp môi chén rượu: To take a ceremonial or token sip of wine/alcohol. It emphasizes a small, symbolic drink rather than drinking for intoxication.
  • Trong lễ cưới, mọi người cùng nhấp môi chén rượu chúc phúc. (During the wedding, everyone took a ceremonial sip of wine to give blessings.)

1. cũng nói dấp Wet
   • Nhấp nước khăn mặt
     To wet a towel