xúm
Definition
- Verb:
- To gather, to cluster, to crowd around: To come together or assemble closely around a central point or person, often quickly and spontaneously. It implies a group forming a tight circle or cluster, usually out of curiosity, interest, or to participate in an activity.
- To pitch in, to join in collectively: To come together to help with a task or activity, emphasizing cooperative group action.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Lũ trẻ xúm lại xem con bướm. (The children gathered to look at the butterfly.)
- Mọi người xúm quanh người bị nạn. (People crowded around the accident victim.)
- Cả nhà xúm vào dọn dẹp sau bữa tiệc. (The whole family pitched in to clean up after the party.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a nuance of informal, unplanned, and energetic gathering. It is frequently used in spoken language.
- It can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation when describing a noisy or intrusive crowd, similar to "to mob" or "to swarm."
Variants and Related Words
- Xúm xít (verb): A reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a very tight, close gathering or clustering.
- Các bạn nhỏ xúm xít bên mâm bánh kẹo. (The children clustered tightly around the tray of sweets.)
- Xúm vào (verb phrase): To collectively join in or start doing something, often helping or attacking.
- Thấy tôi vác đồ nặng, họ liền xúm vào giúp. (Seeing me carrying heavy things, they immediately pitched in to help.)
Synonyms
- Gather: To come together.
- Cluster: To form a close group.
- Crowd around: To form a dense circle around something.
- Pitch in: To join others in helping.
Related Idioms
- Xúm đen xúm đỏ: To gather in a very large, tumultuous crowd (often with a negative or disapproving tone).
- Nghe tin có sự cố, dân làng xúm đen xúm đỏ đến xem. (Hearing about the incident, villagers gathered in a huge, noisy crowd to look.)
verb
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gather, cluster
