Definition

1. Noun:

   • A flap or piece of cloth: Refers to a distinct section or panel of a garment, such as the front or back part of a shirt, coat, or traditional dress (áo dài).
   • A strip or plot of land: Refers to a long, narrow piece of cultivated land, often used for farming or gardening.

2. Verb:

   • To trim or bevel at an angle: The action of cutting, shaving, or shaping something (like wood or fruit) to create a slanted or pointed edge.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Cô ấy cầm vạt áo dài. (She is holding the flap of her áo dài.)
  • Họ trồng rau trên một vạt đất nhỏ. (They grow vegetables on a small strip of land.)

• Verb:

  • Anh ấy vạt nhọn đầu cọc. (He sharpened the end of the stake to a point.)
  • Vạt bớt miếng gỗ cho vừa khít. (Trim the piece of wood a bit so it fits snugly.)

Advanced Usage

• "vạt áo": Literally "shirt flap," commonly used to refer to the front panels of a traditional Vietnamese tunic.

  • Vạt áo dài thướt tha trong gió. (The flaps of the áo dài flow gracefully in the wind.)

• "vạt rừng": Refers to a strip or section of forest.

  • Một vạt rừng nguyên sinh còn sót lại. (A remaining strip of primary forest.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vạt nắng (noun phrase): A strip of sunlight.

  • Vạt nắng chiếu xiên qua cửa sổ. (A strip of sunlight slants through the window.)

• Vạt cỏ (noun phrase): A strip of grass.

  • Ngồi trên vạt cỏ xanh mướt. (Sitting on a lush strip of grass.)

Synonyms

• Noun (cloth): Mảnh vải (piece of cloth), thân áo (body of a shirt).
• Noun (land): Mảnh đất (piece of land), dải đất (strip of land), thửa đất (plot of land).
• Verb: Gọt (to peel/trim), đẽo (to whittle/chisel), xén (to trim/cut).

Related Phrases

• Vạt tóc (noun phrase): A section or lock of hair.
  • Một vạt tóc rủ xuống trán. (A lock of hair falls onto the forehead.)

Related Idioms

• "Giữ vạt áo": Literally "to hold onto someone's flap." This can imply dependence, seeking protection, or clinging to someone (often a parent or superior).
  • Đứa trẻ nhút nhát chỉ biết giữ vạt áo mẹ. (The shy child only knows how to cling to her mother's side.)

noun

1. flap plot