Definition

Verb: - To seal, to close securely: The primary meaning of "niêm" is the action of closing or fastening something (like an envelope, door, or container) to prevent it from being opened or to mark it as closed. This often involves using a seal, adhesive, or other means to secure it. - To adhere, to stick: In some contexts, it can mean to glue or stick something together or onto a surface.

Noun: - A seal: Refers to the object or mark itself used to close or authenticate something, such as a wax seal on a letter. - Poetic tonal correspondence: In classical Vietnamese poetry (specifically Đường luật or regulated verse), "niêm" refers to the strict rules governing the tonal patterns and correspondences between lines.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy niêm phong bức thư cẩn thận trước khi gửi. (He carefully sealed the letter before sending it.)
  • Công an đã niêm phong căn phòng để điều tra. (The police sealed the room for investigation.)
• Noun:
  • Dấu niêm trên thư cổ vẫn còn nguyên vẹn. (The seal on the ancient letter is still intact.)
  • Bài thơ Đường luật phải tuân theo luật về niêm. (A regulated verse poem must follow the rules of tonal correspondence.)

Advanced Usage

• "niêm phong": to seal officially (often used in legal or administrative contexts).
  • Tài liệu mật đã được niêm phong trong túi. (The confidential documents were sealed in a bag.)
• "bóc niêm" / "hủy niêm": to break/unseal a seal.
  • Chỉ người có thẩm quyền mới được hủy niêm phong. (Only authorized persons may break the seal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Con niêm (n): A postage stamp. This is a specific, common compound word.
  • Tôi cần mua con niêm để gửi thư. (I need to buy a stamp to send the letter.)
• Niêm yết (v): To post, to publicly display (a notice, price list).
  • Giá cả phải được niêm yết rõ ràng. (Prices must be posted clearly.)
• Phong bì niêm (n): A sealed envelope.

Synonyms

• Đóng dấu: to stamp, to seal (emphasizing the stamping action).
• Dán kín: to glue shut.
• Bịt kín: to cover tightly, to plug.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Niêm lại: to seal up/again.
  • Sau khi kiểm tra, họ niêm lại thùng hàng. (After inspection, they sealed the crate again.)

Related Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "niêm" in isolation with a figurative meaning. Its use is largely literal or technical (in poetry).

noun

1. seal
   • hủy dấu niêm bức thư
     to break the seal of a letter