Definition

1. Verb:
   • To carve, to sculpt: To create a three-dimensional artistic form from a solid material like wood, stone, or metal by cutting, chiseling, or shaping it.
   • To engrave, to inscribe: To cut or etch a design, pattern, or words onto a hard surface.
   • To cherish, to imprint (in memory): To remember something so deeply and vividly that it feels permanently etched into one's heart or mind. This is a figurative usage.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To carve/sculpt):

  • Người nghệ nhân đang tạc một bức tượng Phật từ gỗ. (The artisan is carving a Buddha statue from wood.)
  • Bức tượng này được tạc từ đá cẩm thạch. (This statue was sculpted from marble.)

• Verb (To engrave):

  • Họ tạc tên các liệt sĩ lên bia đá. (They engraved the names of the martyrs on the stone stele.)

• Verb (To cherish/imprint):

  • Lời dạy của thầy tôi tạc vào lòng. (My teacher's words are engraved in my heart.)
  • Hình ảnh đó đã tạc vào tâm trí tôi. (That image is imprinted on my mind.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ghi lòng tạc dạ": An idiom meaning "to engrave in the heart and inscribe in the innermost self," expressing an extremely deep and unforgettable memory or gratitude.

  • Ơn nghĩa ấy, tôi xin ghi lòng tạc dạ. (For that kindness, I will be eternally grateful [lit., engrave it in my heart].)

• "Như tạc": A simile used to emphasize an exact, striking resemblance, often in appearance.

  • Đứa trẻ giống bố như tạc. (The child looks exactly like his father [as if carved from the same mold].)

Variants and Related Words

• Chạm khắc / Điêu khắc (v/n): To carve, to sculpt; sculpture. These are more general or formal terms for the artistic act of carving.
• Khắc (v): To engrave, to etch. Often used for finer lines or writing on surfaces.
• Tượng (n): Statue. Often the object created by .

Synonyms

• Đục, đẽo, gọt: To chisel, to hew, to whittle. These focus more on the action of removing material.
• Khắc: To engrave.
• Ghi nhớ, khắc ghi: To remember, to memorize (for the figurative meaning).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Tạc dạ": (Literally: to inscribe in the innermost self) To remember forever.
  • Ân tình ấy tạc dạ không quên. (That debt of gratitude is unforgettable.)
• "Giống như tạc" / "In như tạc": As alike as if carved from the same mold; spitting image.
  • Hai chị em sinh đôi giống nhau như tạc. (The twin sisters look exactly alike.)

verb

1. to carve. to engrave on (upon), to cherish