tam
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Numeral:
- Three: The cardinal number equal to 2 + 1. "Tam" is a Sino-Vietnamese numeral, often used in formal, literary, or compound contexts rather than everyday counting.
Usage
- General Use: "Tam" is primarily used in fixed Sino-Vietnamese compounds, set phrases, proverbs, and classical or formal contexts. It is not typically used for counting objects in daily conversation (where "ba" is used).
- Position: It functions as a numeral, usually appearing as the first element in a compound word or phrase.
Usage Examples
In Compounds/Set Phrases:
- tam cúc (a traditional card game literally meaning "three chrysanthemums").
- tam đại đồng đường (three generations living under one roof).
- tam giác (triangle).
- tam tòng (the "three obediences" in Confucian ethics for women).
In Proverbs/Idiomatic Expressions:
- Nhất nước, nhì phân, tam cần, tứ giống. (A proverb on agriculture priorities: First water, second fertilizer, third diligence, fourth seed.)
- Tam sao thất bản. (An idiom meaning "After three copies, the original is lost," i.e., information becomes distorted through repetition.)
Advanced Usage
- In Classical/Formal Timekeeping:
- canh ba or lúc tam canh (the third watch of the night, approximately from 11 PM to 1 AM).
- In Formal Enumeration: Used in lists or rankings for stylistic effect, often paired with other Sino-Vietnamese numerals (nhất, nhị/nhì, tam, tứ...).
- Nhất tự vi sư, bán tự vi sư. (A saying about respecting teachers.)
Variants and Related Words
- ba (num.): The native Vietnamese and everyday word for "three." This is the word used for general counting (e.g., - three books).
- thứ ba (num., adj.): Third (in sequence).
- tam thể (n.): Trilogy; triple form.
- tam tài (n.): The "three talents" or fundamental elements (often referring to Heaven, Earth, and Humanity).
Synonyms
- ba (num.): Three. (This is the main synonym for the quantity, but "tam" and "ba" are not always interchangeable due to stylistic and collocational differences.)
Related Phrases
- tam tứ phen (idiom): Three or four times; repeatedly.
- Anh ấy đã thử đi thử lại tam tứ phen. (He tried three or four times / repeatedly.)
- tam khoanh tứ đốm (idiom): To have more than one trick up one's sleeve; to be cunning or resourceful.
- Hắn ta là người tam khoanh tứ đốm, đừng có coi thường. (He's a cunning person with many tricks, don't underestimate him.)
Related Idioms
- Tam sao thất bản: (As above) "Copied thrice, the original is lost." Used to describe how stories or information become distorted through retelling or copying.
- Tam cúc, cụp!: A call from the card game "Tam Cúc," but also used colloquially to mean "That's it, it's over!" or "End of discussion!"
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