Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hold onto, to grasp for support: The primary meaning of "vịn" is to place one's hand on something to steady oneself while moving or standing.
   • To lean on (physically): To use an object or person as physical support to maintain balance.
   • To use as a pretext, to seize upon (figuratively): In an abstract sense, "vịn" can mean to use a reason, excuse, or circumstance as a basis or justification for an action.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Physical Support):

  • Đứa trẻ vừa đi vừa vịn vào thành giường. (The child walked while holding onto the bed frame.)
  • Ông cụ vịn tay vào cây gậy. (The old man held his hand on the cane.)
  • Cô ấy vịn vai bạn mà đi. (She walked while leaning on her friend's shoulder.)

• Verb (Figurative - Using a Pretext):

  • Hắn thường vịn cớ ốm để nghỉ làm. (He often uses being sick as a pretext to take a day off work.)
  • Đừng vịn vào lý do đó nữa. (Don't seize upon that reason anymore.)

Advanced Usage

• "Vịn cớ": To use as an excuse, to pretext.

  • Anh ta vịn cớ bận để từ chối lời mời. (He used being busy as an excuse to decline the invitation.)

• "Vịn tay": To hold onto something with one's hand(s) for support.

  • Bệnh nhân phải vịn tay vào tường để đứng dậy. (The patient had to hold onto the wall to stand up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tựa (verb): To lean against, to rest against. (Often used similarly to "vịn" but can imply a more relaxed posture.)
• Nắm (verb): To grip, to hold. (Focuses more on the act of gripping rather than for support.)
• Chống (verb): To prop, to support. (Often involves using an object like a stick to bear weight.)

Synonyms

• Dựa vào: To rely on, to lean on. (Can be used both physically and figuratively.)
• Nương tựa: To depend on, to lean on for support. (Often has a more emotional or figurative connotation.)
• Bám vào: To cling to, to hold on tightly.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Vịn vào: To hold onto (something), to lean on (something). This is the most common construction.
  • Cô ấy vịn vào lan can khi lên cầu thang. (She held onto the railing when going up the stairs.)

Related Idioms

• Vịn gió bắt bóng: Literally "to hold the wind and catch the shadow". This idiom means to base an argument on something insubstantial, to make unfounded accusations, or to act on unreliable information.
  • Lời buộc tội của họ chẳng qua chỉ là vịn gió bắt bóng. (Their accusations are merely baseless / grasping at straws.)

verb

1. to seize, to catch, to hold, to lean on