Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be deeply engrossed / to be infatuated: To be excessively absorbed or lost in something, often to an unhealthy or detrimental degree. It implies a loss of self-control or perspective due to intense passion or desire.
   • To indulge / to wallow: To abandon oneself to a particular feeling, activity, or vice.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta sa đắm trong những giấc mơ viển vông. (He is deeply engrossed in unrealistic dreams.)
  • Cô ấy sa đắm vào men rượu sau biến cố. (She wallowed in alcohol after the incident.)
  • Sa đắm tửu sắc có thể hủy hoại sức khỏe. (Being infatuated with wine and women can destroy one's health.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative moral judgment, describing a state of moral decline or dissipation due to overindulgence.
• It is frequently used in literary or formal contexts to describe a profound and destructive passion.

Variants and Related Words

• Đam mê (v/n): To be passionate about; passion. (This is a more neutral term, while sa đắm is negative.)

  • Anh ấy đam mê âm nhạc. (He is passionate about music.)

• Say đắm (v/adj): To be enchanted, captivated, or deeply in love. (This can be positive or negative but often lacks the strong connotation of ruin found in sa đắm.)

  • Họ say đắm nhau ngay từ cái nhìn đầu tiên. (They were captivated by each other from the first glance.)

Synonyms

• To be infatuated: To be filled with a foolish or extravagant passion.
• To be immersed: To be deeply involved or absorbed.
• To indulge: To allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something.
• To wallow: To indulge in an unrestrained way.

Related Idioms

• Sa đắm tửu sắc: To be addicted to wine and women; to lead a debauched life of pleasure.
  • Con đường sa đắm tửu sắc dẫn đến hậu quả tai hại. (The path of debauchery leads to disastrous consequences.)