Definition

1. Verb:

   • To sprinkle or splash (a liquid): To scatter or throw small amounts of a liquid, often water, onto a surface or person.
   • To be drenched or dripping (with sweat): To be covered or flowing with sweat, often due to heat or exertion.
   • To pat or dab gently: To lightly touch or apply something, like a damp cloth, to a surface (e.g., the forehead).

2. Adjective:

   • Trivial or idle: Describing conversation or talk that is unimportant, frivolous, or without serious purpose.
   • Eaten alone (without rice): Describing the act of eating side dishes or accompaniments by themselves, not with the main staple of rice.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Cô ấy vã nước lạnh lên mặt. (She splashes cold water on her face.)
  • Anh ấy làm việc nặng đến vã mồ hôi. (He worked so hard he was dripping with sweat.)
  • Mẹ vã khăn ướt lên trán con. (The mother patted the damp cloth on her child's forehead.)

• Adjective:

  • Họ ngồi nói chuyện vã cả buổi chiều. (They sat and made idle talk all afternoon.)
  • Bữa trưa nay tôi chỉ ăn vã thịt nguội. (For lunch today, I just ate cold cuts by themselves [without rice].)

Advanced Usage

• "vã" as a rare/adverbial form for "on foot": This usage is now archaic or literary.
  • Ông cụ đi vã cả quãng đường dài. (The old man went the entire long distance on foot.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vã mồ hôi (verb phrase): to be sweating profusely.
• Nói vã (verb phrase): to engage in idle chatter.
• Ăn vã (verb phrase): to eat side dishes without rice.

Synonyms

• Sprinkle: to scatter small drops.
• Drenched: soaked thoroughly.
• Trivial: of little importance.
• Idle: without purpose or substance.

Related Idioms

• Vã bọt mép: Literally "to sprinkle foam from the mouth," meaning to talk until one is exhausted or hoarse, often in argument or persuasion.
  • Anh ấy giải thích vã bọt mép nhưng không ai nghe. (He explained until he was hoarse, but no one listened.)