Definition

1. Noun:
   • A traditional unit of length: An obsolete Vietnamese unit of length, equal to one-tenth of a traditional "thước" (approximately 4 cm or 0.04 meters). It is roughly equivalent to a decimeter.
   • A traditional unit of area: An obsolete Vietnamese unit of land area, equal to one-tenth of a "thước," varying regionally (approximately 2.4 m² in the North or 3.3 m² in Central Vietnam).
   • (Literary) Heart, innermost feelings: An archaic, literary term used in limited set phrases to refer to one's heart or sincere sentiments, often expressed with humility.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Unit of length):
  • Mảnh vải này dài ba tấc. (This piece of cloth is three tấc long.)
  • "Không chịu nhường một tấc đất." ("Not willing to cede an inch of land." - a proverbial saying.)
• Noun (Literary: feelings):
  • Tôi xin bày tỏ tấc lòng thành của mình. (I wish to express my sincere heart.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is primarily used today in historical contexts, proverbs, or fixed expressions. Its modern metric equivalent is the decimeter (dm), though "đềximét" is the formal term.
• In measurements, it often appears in the compound "tấc đất" (a of land) to symbolize something very small yet precious.

Variants and Related Words

• Tấc lòng (n): Literary term for one's heart, feelings.
  • Hiểu được tấc lòng của người khác. (To understand another person's heart.)
• Tấc thành (n): Literary term for sincere feelings, heartfelt sincerity.
  • Với tất cả tấc thành. (With all my heartfelt sincerity.)
• Tấc riêng (n): Literary term for one's private, personal feelings.
  • Giữ tấc riêng trong lòng. (To keep one's private feelings inside.)

Synonyms

• Decimeter: The modern metric unit of length (10 cm).
• Inch: A small unit of length in the imperial system, used for similar symbolic meaning (e.g., not ceding an inch).
• Heart: The center of emotion (for the literary sense).
• Sentiment: A feeling or emotion (for the literary sense).

Related Idioms and Proverbs

• Tấc đất, tấc vàng: (Proverb) Literally "An inch of land is an inch of gold." Means land is extremely valuable.
• Không chịu nhường một tấc đất: (Idiom) "Not willing to yield an inch of land." Means to stand firm and not compromise or surrender anything.

noun

1. one tenth metre