Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make preparations, to make ready, to prepare: The core meaning of "sắm sửa" is to actively get things ready, often by acquiring necessary items, for a specific upcoming event or purpose.
   • To shop for and acquire, to furnish: It specifically implies the action of buying or obtaining the things required to be fully equipped for something.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cả nhà đang bận rộn sắm sửa cho đám cưới. (The whole family is busy making preparations for the wedding.)
  • Chị ấy sắm sửa đầy đủ sách vở trước khi năm học mới bắt đầu. (She shopped for and acquired all the necessary books and supplies before the new school year started.)
  • Họ dành cả ngày để sắm sửa đồ đạc cho căn hộ mới. (They spent the whole day furnishing their new apartment.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a connotation of thoroughness and care in preparation, not just casual shopping. It is commonly used for significant life events (e.g., weddings, new homes, trips) or important beginnings (e.g., a new school year, a new job).

Variants and Related Words

• Sắm (v): to buy, to purchase (often for a specific need). This is the root verb, while "sắm sửa" is a reduplicative form that emphasizes completeness and preparation.

  • Anh ấy định sắm một chiếc xe mới. (He intends to buy a new car.)

• Mua sắm (v): to go shopping. This is a more general term for the activity of shopping.

  • Cô ấy thích mua sắm vào cuối tuần. (She likes to go shopping on weekends.)

Synonyms

• Prepare: to make ready for use or consideration.
• Equip: to supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose.
• Furnish: to provide with what is needed.

Related Idioms

• Sắm sửa cỗ bàn: to prepare a feast (lit. to prepare the trays and tables).

  • Nhà tôi đang sắm sửa cỗ bàn để đãi khách. (My family is preparing a feast to entertain guests.)

• Sắm sửa nếp tẻ: to prepare all the necessities for living (lit. to prepare the glutinous and ordinary rice, representing all staples).

  • Ra ở riêng thì phải lo sắm sửa nếp tẻ. (When you live independently, you have to manage preparing all the necessities of life.)

verb

1. to make preparations, to make ready, to prepare