Definition

1. Noun:

   • Oracle stick / Divination lot: A stick, often made of bamboo or wood, used in temples or pagodas for spiritual divination. People draw one to seek guidance or answers about the future from deities or spirits.
   • Target (for archery): A stretched piece of cloth or material, often with a painted circle at the center, used as a target for archery or shooting practice.
   • Fine-mesh net: A type of net with very small holes, used specifically for catching shrimp or small fish.

2. Verb:

   • To prick / To pierce repeatedly: To make many small holes in something using a sharp point, often for a specific purpose (e.g., to allow flavors to penetrate).
   • To tattoo: To insert indelible ink into the skin with needles to create permanent designs or patterns.
   • To probe / To search: To investigate or search carefully for something hidden or concealed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Cô ấy đến chùa để rút một que xăm. (She went to the temple to draw an oracle stick.)
  • Các cung thủ nhắm vào tấm xăm. (The archers aim at the target.)
  • Ngư dân dùng xăm để bắt tôm. (Fishermen use a fine-mesh net to catch shrimp.)

• Verb:

  • Phải xăm gừng trước khi ngâm đường. (You must prick the ginger before sugaring it.)
  • Anh ấy muốn xăm một con rồng trên lưng. (He wants to tattoo a dragon on his back.)
  • Hải quan xăm hành lý của hành khách. (Customs officers probe passengers' luggage.)

Advanced Usage

• "xăm xoi": To pry into, to scrutinize excessively.
  • Đừng xăm xoi chuyện đời tư của người khác. (Don't pry into other people's private lives.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xăm mình (v): To tattoo one's body (a traditional practice).
  • Một số dân tộc có tục xăm mình. (Some ethnic groups have the custom of tattooing their bodies.)
• Xăm trổ (v): To tattoo (often with a connotation of having many elaborate tattoos).
  • Cánh tay anh ta xăm trổ đầy hoa văn. (His arm is covered in intricate tattoos.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Lot, divination stick; target; net.
• Verb: Puncture; tattoo; inspect, examine.

Related Idioms

• Xăm xăm: To stride purposefully or hastily (describes a manner of walking).
  • Anh ta xăm xăm bước vào phòng mà không gõ cửa. (He strode purposefully into the room without knocking.)

noun

1. oracle