Definition

1. 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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