xem mặt
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To see someone's face (for evaluation): The primary meaning refers to the traditional custom of a prospective groom and his family visiting to see a potential bride's face and assess her suitability before deciding on marriage.
- To meet for an initial assessment: More broadly, it can mean to meet someone for the first time to evaluate their appearance, character, or suitability for a specific role or purpose.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nhà trai sẽ đến xem mặt cô dâu vào ngày mai. (The groom's family will come to see the bride's face tomorrow.)
- Công ty muốn xem mặt ứng viên trước khi phỏng vấn chính thức. (The company wants to see the candidate's face before the official interview.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese marriage customs, where the "xem mặt" meeting is a formal step in the arranged marriage process.
- In modern, less formal contexts, it can humorously refer to any first meeting set up to evaluate a potential romantic partner.
Variants and Related Words
- Xem mắt (v): This is a common variant with the same meaning and usage.
- Bà mai đã sắp xếp cho hai người xem mắt nhau. (The matchmaker arranged for the two to see each other's faces.)
Synonyms
- To meet (for evaluation): To encounter someone to form an initial assessment.
- To size up: To inspect or assess someone visually.
Related Idioms
- Xem mặt đặt tên: Literally "see the face, give the name," meaning to judge someone immediately based on their appearance.
- Không nên xem mặt đặt tên người khác. (One should not judge a book by its cover.)