Definition

1. Verb:

   • (Music) To accompany: To play a musical instrument (typically a harmonic or rhythmic instrument like piano or guitar) to support a main melody or a singer.
   • To pad / To cushion: To place a soft material between two objects to reduce friction, absorb shock, or provide comfort.
   • To insert / To intercalate: To put something in between other things, often a word or element between parts of a name.

2. Noun:

   • Mattress / Cushion / Pad: A soft, flat object filled with material (e.g., cotton, foam, straw) used to make sitting or lying down more comfortable.
   • Gasket / Washer: A flat piece of material (e.g., rubber, felt) placed between two surfaces in a machine to prevent leakage or reduce vibration.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Music):
  • Cô ấy đệm piano cho ca sĩ. (She accompanies the singer on the piano.)
• Verb (To pad/cushion):
  • Đệm thêm vải vào để hộp không bị vỡ. (Pad it with more cloth so the box doesn't break.)
• Verb (To insert):
  • Tên đầy đủ của anh ấy là Nguyễn Văn Nam, trong đó 'Văn' là tên đệm. (His full name is Nguyễn Văn Nam, where 'Văn' is a middle name.)
• Noun (Mattress):
  • Tôi mới mua một cái đệm mới cho giường. (I just bought a new mattress for the bed.)
• Noun (Gasket):
  • Van bị rò rỉ, có lẽ do đệm cao su hỏng. (The valve is leaking, perhaps due to a damaged rubber gasket.)

Advanced Usage

• "đệm lót": underlay, underpadding.
  • Sử dụng một tấm đệm lót dưới thảm trải sàn. (Use an underlay beneath the carpet.)
• "đệm đầu": (literally: head cushion) refers to introductory or preparatory remarks that lead to the main topic.
  • Anh ấy nói vài câu đệm đầu trước khi vào đề chính. (He said a few introductory words before getting to the main point.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nệm (n): A common variant for "mattress" or "cushion," often used interchangeably with "đệm."
  • nệm bông (cotton mattress), nệm ghế sofa (sofa cushion).
• Đệm ghế (n): seat cushion.
  • Ghế xe hơi cần thay đệm ghế. (The car seat needs its cushion replaced.)
• Tên đệm (n): middle name.
  • 'Thị' là một tên đệm phổ biến cho phụ nữ Việt Nam thời xưa. ('Thị' is a common middle name for Vietnamese women in the past.)

Synonyms

• Accompany (in music): to play along with.
• Cushion: to soften impact.
• Insert: to put in between.
• Mattress: a pad for sleeping on.
• Gasket: a seal.

Related Idioms

• Nói đệm / Hát đệm: To speak or sing supporting lines (backing vocals) in the background.
  • Trong ban nhạc, cô ấy thường hát đệm. (In the band, she usually sings backing vocals.)
• Câu đệm: A filler phrase or word used in speech.
  • "À", "ừm" là những câu đệm phổ biến. ("Ah," "um" are common filler words.)

verb

1. (âm nhạc) to accompany