nhăm nhắp

Cái bát cơm nhăm nhắp đầy.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Almost, nearly, on the verge of: Used to describe a state or quantity that is very close to being reached or completed, often implying it is just a little bit short.
   • Approximately, roughly: Indicates an approximate amount or number, very close to a specific figure.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Công việc đã nhăm nhắp xong. (The work is almost finished.)
  • Bát cơm nhăm nhắp đầy. (The bowl of rice is nearly full.)
  • Chiếc xe cũ nhăm nhắp hai mươi năm tuổi. (The old car is approximately twenty years old.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in informal, colloquial speech rather than formal writing. It emphasizes that something is on the cusp of a particular state or amount.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhắp (v): To sip, to taste a small amount of liquid. (Note: While "nhăm nhắp" is etymologically related to "nhắp," their modern meanings are distinct. "Nhăm nhắp" does not mean "to sip").
• Sắp sửa (adv): To be about to, on the point of (an action).
  • Trời sắp sửa mưa. (It is about to rain.)

Synonyms

• Sắp: about to, soon (for actions/events).
• Gần: near, close to.
• Chừng: approximately, about.

Related Idioms

• Nhăm nhắp đầy: nearly full to the brim.
  • Ly nước nhăm nhắp đầy. (The glass of water is nearly full.)
• Nhăm nhắp đủ: almost enough.
  • Số tiền nhăm nhắp đủ để mua vé. (The amount of money is almost enough to buy a ticket.)