Definition

1. Verb:
   • To gather around; to cluster: To come together closely in a warm, intimate, and often circular or semi-circular arrangement, typically in a cozy, familial, or friendly atmosphere.
   • To assemble intimately: To congregate in a close-knit, affectionate manner, emphasizing warmth and togetherness rather than just physical proximity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cả gia đình quây quần bên mâm cơm tối. (The whole family gathered around the dinner table.)
  • Bọn trẻ quây quần nghe bà kể chuyện cổ tích. (The children clustered around their grandmother to listen to her fairy tales.)
  • Mọi người quây quần bên đống lửa để sưởi ấm. (Everyone gathered around the campfire to keep warm.)

Advanced Usage

• "quây quần sum họp": to gather for a reunion.
  • Dịp Tết là lúc gia đình quây quần sum họp. (Tet is the time for family to gather for a warm reunion.)
• "quây quần bên nhau": to live/stay closely and affectionately together.
  • Họ sống quây quần bên nhau trong một ngôi nhà nhỏ. (They live closely and affectionately together in a small house.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quần tụ (verb): To assemble, to congregate (more formal/literary, less emphasis on warmth).
• Tụ tập (verb): To gather, to assemble (neutral, can be used for any group).
• Xúm xít (verb): To crowd around, to swarm around (implies moving in closely, often with curiosity).

Synonyms

• Tụ họp: to assemble, to meet.
• Sum vầy: to reunite, to gather (especially family, conveys happiness).
• Vây quanh: to surround, to encircle (focuses on forming a circle around something).

Related Phrases

• Quây quần bên bếp lửa: To gather around the hearth/fireplace.
  • Những đêm đông, gia đình tôi thường quây quần bên bếp lửa. (On winter nights, my family often gathers around the fireplace.)
• Quây quần đầm ấm: A warm and cozy gathering.
  • Bữa cơm quây quần đầm ấm là điều tôi trân trọng nhất. (A warm and cozy gathering for a meal is what I cherish the most.)

verb

1. to gather around; to cluster
   • quây quần chung quanh người nào
     to cluster round someone