tom
Definition
Noun:
- A drumbeat or rhythmic accompaniment: Specifically refers to the sound or beat of a drum, traditionally used to accompany the singing of female performers (ả đào) in ancient Vietnamese chamber music.
Verb (dialectal):
- To grab, to seize: A regional variant of the more common Vietnamese verb "tóm," meaning to grasp or catch with the hand.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Tiếng tom vang lên theo điệu hát. (The sound of the drumbeat rose following the tune of the song.)
- Nghe tiếng tom đệm cho câu hát. (Listen to the drumbeat accompanying the lyric.)
Verb (dialectal):
- Nó tom lấy cái bát. (He grabbed the bowl.)
Advanced Usage
- This word is primarily historical and artistic, closely associated with traditional Vietnamese performing arts like (also known as ). Its use in modern, everyday language is very rare.
Variants and Related Words
- Tóm (verb): The standard word for "to grab," "to seize," or "to catch."
- Cảnh sát tóm được tên trộm. (The police caught the thief.)
Synonyms
- Drumbeat: a stroke or sound of a drum.
- Accompaniment: a musical part that supports the main performer.
- Grab (for dialectal meaning): to seize suddenly.
Notes on Usage
- When used as a noun meaning "drumbeat," tom is a specialized term from traditional music. It is not a general word for any drum sound (like "tiếng trống").
- The verb form is considered dialectal. For clarity, the standard verb tóm is strongly preferred in most contexts.