vập
Definition
- Verb:
- To bump into; to hit (against something): To collide with a surface or object, often with a dull, solid sound and typically by accident. It implies a lack of grace or control in the motion.
- To knock; to strike: To cause a part of one's body to make sudden, forceful contact with something hard.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nó vập đầu vào cửa kính. (He bumped his head against the glass door.)
- Tôi bị vập chân vào góc bàn. (I knocked my foot against the corner of the table.)
- Xe vập vào lề đường. (The vehicle bumped against the curb.)
Advanced Usage
- The verb "vập" often conveys a sense of an abrupt, jarring, and somewhat clumsy impact. It is frequently used for accidental collisions that are painful or cause a minor injury.
- It can be used figuratively to describe encountering an unexpected problem or setback, though this is less common.
- Công ty vập phải khó khăn. (The company ran into/hit a difficulty.)
Variants and Related Words
- Va vập (v): A reduplicative form emphasizing repeated or minor bumping and knocking.
- Đồ đạc trong xe bị va vập trên đường xóc. (The items in the car got knocked around on the bumpy road.)
Synonyms
- Va (phải): to bump into, to collide with.
- Đụng (phải): to hit, to strike.
- Cụng: to knock (often used for heads).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Vập mặt vào tường: To hit one's face against a wall. Used literally or figuratively to describe facing a blunt failure or obstacle.
- Học mãi không hiểu, tôi như vập mặt vào tường. (I studied but couldn't understand; it was like hitting my face against a wall.)