quạt cánh
Definition
- Verb:
- To flap wings: The primary meaning of "quạt cánh" is the action of a bird or insect moving its wings up and down, typically to gain momentum for flight or to maintain balance.
- To luff (sailing): In nautical contexts, "quạt cánh" describes the action of a sail flapping or shaking because it is not correctly set against the wind, often when the wind changes direction suddenly.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con chim đang quạt cánh trước khi bay. (The bird is flapping its wings before flying.)
- Cánh buồm quạt cánh vì gió đổi hướng. (The sail is luffing because the wind changed direction.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is specific and technical, especially in its sailing sense. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation outside of these contexts.
Variants and Related Words
- Vỗ cánh (v): to flap wings. This is a more common synonym for the ornithological action.
- Thiên nga vỗ cánh trên mặt hồ. (The swan flaps its wings on the lake surface.)
Synonyms
- Flap (wings): to move wings up and down.
- Luff (sail): (of a sail) to flap when the wind is blowing along its surface.
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms directly using the phrase "quạt cánh."