Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small, round, protruding part on the surface or end of an object: A knob, button, nipple, or small protuberance.
   • (Colloquial) A small handful: A small quantity that can be held in a pinched hand.

2. Verb:

   • (Dialectal/Colloquial) To grab, to seize, to take hold of: To clutch or grasp something, often by a small part.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Vặn núm điều chỉnh âm lượng. (Turn the volume control knob.)
  • Trái cau có một núm nhỏ ở đầu. (The betel nut has a small nipple at the tip.)
  • Mẹ chỉ còn một núm gạo. (Mother only has a small handful of rice left.)

• Verb:

  • Nó núm lấy tay áo tôi. (He grabbed my sleeve.)
  • Con mèo núm lấy con chuột. (The cat seized the mouse.)

Advanced Usage

• "núm vú": nipple (anatomy).
  • Trẻ sơ sinh bú sữa qua núm vú. (Newborns drink milk through the nipple.)
• "núm cửa": doorknob.
  • Xoay núm cửa để mở. (Turn the doorknob to open it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nắm (n.): A fistful; a grasp. (More standard for "handful" or "grasp").
  • một nắm cơm (a handful of rice)
• Túm (v.): To grab, to clutch (a handful of fabric, hair). Often interchangeable with the verb "núm" in colloquial speech.
  • túm lấy tóc (to grab the hair)
• Cụm (n.): A cluster, a clump (e.g., of flowers, trees). Different meaning but similar sound.
• Nút (n.): Button (to fasten clothes), knot. A distinct word, but often confused with "núm" (knob).

Synonyms

• Quả núm (n.): A specific type of small, round fruit; also used colloquially for "testicle".
• Đầu vú (n.): Nipple, teat.
• Nắm lấy (v.): To grasp, to take hold of.
• Chộp lấy (v.): To snatch, to grab quickly.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Núm lấy: To grab onto, to seize hold of.
  • Cô ấy núm lấy cơ hội cuối cùng. (She seized the last opportunity.)
• Núm chặt: To clutch tightly.
  • Đứa bé núm chặt ngón tay mẹ. (The baby clutched its mother's finger tightly.)

Related Idioms

• Một núm người: A tiny group of people; a very small number of individuals.
  • Chỉ còn lại một núm người trung thành. (Only a handful of loyal people remained.)
• Núm ruột: (Literally: a handful of intestines) An old-fashioned, affectionate term for one's child, implying they are a vital, inseparable part of oneself.
  • Đứa con là núm ruột của mẹ. (The child is the mother's flesh and blood.)

verb

1. to seize; to glab