Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wish eagerly, to covet: "thèm muốn" describes a strong, often intense, desire to possess or experience something, which can sometimes imply envy or an inappropriate longing for what belongs to others.
   • To crave, to long for: It signifies a powerful yearning or appetite, frequently for tangible things or base physical pleasures.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta thèm muốn chiếc xe hơi mới của hàng xóm. (He covets his neighbor's new car.)
  • Cô ấy thèm muốn được đi du lịch vòng quanh thế giới. (She eagerly wishes to travel around the world.)
  • Đừng thèm muốn của cải của người khác. (Do not covet other people's possessions.)

Advanced Usage

• "thèm muốn" vs. "mong muốn": While both mean "to wish/desire," "thèm muốn" carries a stronger, often more visceral or envious connotation, sometimes for material or sensual gratification. "Mong muốn" is more general and neutral.
  • Thèm muốn often implies a craving one might feel is wrong or excessive.
  • Mong muốn is a standard term for a wish or aspiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Thèm (verb): To crave, to have a strong desire (often for food or something specific). It is the root component of "thèm muốn."
  • Tôi thèm một tách cà phê. (I crave a cup of coffee.)
• Lòng thèm muốn (noun phrase): The craving, the covetous desire.
  • Lòng thèm muốn của hắn thật khó kiềm chế. (His covetous desire is hard to control.)

Synonyms

• Ham muốn: To lust after, to desire intensely (often with a strong sensual or greedy connotation).
• Khao khát: To yearn, to long for (can be used for both noble and base desires, but often more poetic).
• Ước muốn: To wish, to desire (a more formal or general synonym).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Thèm muốn của người: To covet what belongs to others. This phrase directly highlights the envious aspect of the verb.
  • Sống phải biết đủ, đừng suốt ngày thèm muốn của người. (In life, one must know contentment; don't spend all day coveting what others have.)

verb

1. to wish eagerly, to covet