Definition

1. Verb:
   • To see, to watch: To direct one's eyes towards something to perceive it visually, often for entertainment or information.
   • To read: To look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter.
   • To examine, to check: To inspect or scrutinize something carefully.
   • To consider, to regard: To think of someone or something in a particular way.
   • To consult (e.g., a fortune): To look at something (like a horoscope) to gain insight or predict the future.

Usage Examples

• To see/watch:
  • Tôi đã xem phim ấy. (I have seen that movie.)
  • Chúng ta cùng xem TV nhé. (Let's watch TV together.)
• To read:
  • Anh ấy đang xem báo. (He is reading the newspaper.)
  • Tôi thích xem sách vào buổi tối. (I like to read books in the evening.)
• To examine/check:
  • Cô ấy cần xem lại bài tập. (She needs to check her homework again.)
  • Hãy xem giúp tôi mấy giờ rồi. (Please check the time for me.)
• To consider/regard:
  • Tôi xem cô ấy như người bạn thân. (I regard her as a close friend.)
  • Đừng xem thường bất kỳ ai. (Don't look down on anyone.)
• To consult:
  • Bà ấy đi xem bói. (She went to have her fortune told.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cứ đến mà xem": Go and see for yourself (an invitation or challenge to verify something).
  • Nếu không tin, cứ đến mà xem. (If you don't believe it, just go and see for yourself.)
• "Để rồi xem": We'll see; that remains to be seen (expressing uncertainty about a future outcome).
  • Anh ta nói sẽ thành công, để rồi xem. (He says he will succeed, we'll see.)
• "Xem mặt mà bắt hình dong": (Idiom) Literally "Look at the face to capture the likeness"; used to mean judging someone's character or ability based on their appearance or a small sample (often implying it's unreliable).

Variants and Related Words

• Xem xét (verb): To consider, to deliberate, to review (a more formal term for careful examination).
  • Hội đồng sẽ xem xét đơn đăng ký. (The board will review the application.)
• Xem lại (phrasal verb): To review, to look over again.
  • Bạn nên xem lại câu trả lời. (You should review your answer.)
• Xem như (phrase): To consider as, to regard as.
  • Tôi xem như công việc đã xong. (I consider the work as finished.)

Synonyms

• Nhìn: To look (general).
• Ngó: To glance, to look (more casual).
• Quan sát: To observe.
• Đọc: To read (specifically for text).
• Thẩm tra: To inspect, to investigate (formal).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Xem ra: It seems; it appears (used to express an opinion based on observation).
  • Xem ra trời sắp mưa. (It seems like it's about to rain.)
• Xem chừng: To seem, to appear; to watch out (can express likelihood or serve as a warning).
  • Anh ta xem chừng rất mệt. (He seems very tired.)
  • Xem chừng! Có người đang tới. (Watch out! Someone is coming.)
• Xem thường: To look down on, to despise, to underestimate.
  • Đừng bao giờ xem thường đối thủ. (Never underestimate your opponent.)

Related Idioms

• Xem hội: Literally "to watch a festival"; to be an onlooker, not a participant.
  • Anh ta chỉ đứng xem hội thôi. (He's just standing there watching, not getting involved.)
• Mắt xem mũi ngửi: Literally "eyes watch, nose smells"; to be very attentive and alert to everything happening around.

verb

1. to see, to watch