tủm
Definition
- Verb:
- To smile subtly or quietly: A gentle, often restrained smile, typically expressing amusement, shyness, or quiet satisfaction. It is a closed-mouth smile, sometimes suggesting a secret or inward thought.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Cô gái cười tủm một mình khi nhớ lại kỷ niệm. (The girl smiled quietly to herself when remembering the memory.)
- Nghe xong câu chuyện, ông cụ chỉ tủm tỉm. (After hearing the story, the old man just gave a subtle smile.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is very rarely used alone. It is almost always used in the reduplicated form "tủm tỉm" to describe the specific manner of smiling.
Variants and Related Words
- Tủm tỉm (verb): The standard, reduplicated form meaning "to smile a gentle, closed-mouth smile."
- Thấy con chơi đùa, bà mẹ tủm tỉm nhìn. (Seeing her child playing, the mother looked on with a gentle smile.)
Synonyms
- To smile gently: To smile in a soft, mild manner.
- To smirk: A smile that often expresses smugness or quiet amusement (note: "smirk" can have a more negative connotation than "tủm tỉm").
Related Idioms
- Cười tủm tỉm: The most common collocation, meaning "to wear a subtle, knowing smile."
- Anh ấy nghe lời khen rồi cười tủm tỉm. (He heard the compliment and gave a modest smile.)