Definition

1. Noun:

   • A fold or crease: A line or ridge formed in a flexible material like cloth or paper when it is bent or pressed.
   • A way, manner, or custom: A habitual or traditional pattern of behavior, thought, or living.
   • Glutinous rice: A type of rice that is sticky and chewy when cooked, often used in traditional cakes and dishes.

2. Adjective:

   • Made from glutinous rice: Describing food items whose primary ingredient is glutinous rice.
   • Sticky and white (for maize): Describing a variety of corn that is tender, white, and has a sticky texture when cooked.

Usage Examples

• Noun (fold/crease):
  • Chiếc váy có nhiều nếp gấp đẹp. (The skirt has many beautiful folds.)
  • Là lại nếp quần. (To iron the trousers and re-sharpen the creases.)
• Noun (way/custom):
  • Nếp sống của họ rất giản dị. (Their way of life is very simple.)
  • Đó là nếp suy nghĩ cũ. (That is an old way of thinking.)
• Noun (glutinous rice):
  • Nhà tôi thường ăn nếp vào dịp lễ. (My family often eats glutinous rice on holidays.)
• Adjective (made from glutinous rice):
  • Bánh nếp thơm ngon. (The glutinous rice cake is delicious.)
• Adjective (sticky maize):
  • Ngô nếp nướng rất ngọt. (Grilled sticky white corn is very sweet.)

Advanced Usage

• "nếp nhà": family tradition, family ways.
  • Anh ấy luôn giữ gìn nếp nhà. (He always preserves the family traditions.)
• "có nếp có tẻ": to have both glutinous and ordinary rice; (figuratively) to have a complete set, often referring to having both sons and daughters.
  • Gia đình họ có nếp có tẻ. (Their family has both glutinous and ordinary rice / They have both sons and daughters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gạo nếp (n): glutinous rice (the uncooked grains).
  • Mua một ký gạo nếp. (Buy one kilo of glutinous rice.)
• Nếp sống (n): lifestyle, way of life.
  • Nếp sống văn minh. (A civilized lifestyle.)
• Nếp gấp (n): a fold, a pleat.
  • Nếp gấp trên áo. (The fold on the shirt.)

Synonyms

• Crease: a line on cloth or paper.
• Custom: a traditional way of behaving.
• Sticky rice: glutinous rice.
• Habit: a settled way of thinking or behaving.

Related Idioms

• Nhiễm nếp xấu: to contract a bad habit.
  • Đứa trẻ nhiễm nếp xấu từ bạn bè. (The child contracted bad habits from friends.)
• Nếp cũ: old ways, old habits.
  • Khó từ bỏ nếp cũ. (It's hard to give up old habits.)

1. Fold, crease
   • Là lại nếp quần
     To press one's trousers and give them new creases.
2. (nghĩa bóng) Way
   • Nếp suy nghĩ
     A way of thingking
3. Glutinous rice, sticky rice
   • Bánh nếp
     A glutinous rice cake
4. Sticky and white variety
   • Ngô nếp
     The sticky and white variety of maize