Definition

1. Verb:
   • To try on (clothing, footwear): To place something (like an item of clothing or a shoe) on oneself or another person temporarily to check its fit, size, or suitability.
   • To try, to test fit: To place an object against another to see if it fits correctly or aligns properly.
   • To sound out, to probe, to test (opinions, reactions): To cautiously suggest an idea or ask a question to gauge someone's opinion or reaction without making a direct or formal proposal.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy đang ướm chiếc váy mới. (She is trying on the new dress.)
  • Anh ấy ướm đôi giày vào nhưng thấy hơi chật. (He tried the shoes on but found them a bit tight.)
  • Tôi ướm cánh cửa vào khung xem có vừa không. (I tried fitting the door into the frame to see if it fits.)
  • Anh ta ướm ý xem mọi người có đồng ý với kế hoạch không. (He sounded out opinions to see if everyone agreed with the plan.)
  • Tôi chỉ ướm hỏi xem cô ấy có rảnh tối nay không. (I was just testing/probing to see if she was free tonight.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ướm lời": To cautiously broach a subject, to hint at something.
  • Anh ấy ướm lời hỏi về khả năng tăng lương. (He cautiously broached the subject of a potential salary raise.)
• "Ướm thử": To try on for size, to test fit (often used for clothing).
  • Bạn có thể ướm thử áo khoác trước khi mua. (You can try the jacket on for size before buying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thử (verb): To try, to test. (A more general synonym).
• Đo (verb): To measure.
• Dò xét (verb): To investigate, to probe (often for information).
• Thăm dò (verb): To survey, to gauge (often for opinions).

Synonyms

• Thử: To try.
• Mặc thử: To try on (clothes specifically).
• Dò hỏi: To inquire cautiously.
• Thăm dò: To sound out, to gauge.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a single verb, "ướm" is typically used with a direct object. The concept of phrasal verbs is less defined in Vietnamese, but here are common verb-object constructions. - Ướm ý: To sound out an idea, to test someone's opinion on a matter. - Ông chủ ướm ý về việc chuyển văn phòng. (The boss sounded out opinions about moving the office.) - Ướm lòng: To gauge someone's feelings or willingness (less common, similar to "ướm ý"). - Tôi ướm lòng xem bố mẹ có vui không. (I gauged my parents' feelings to see if they were happy.)

Related Idioms

• Ướm bóng ướm hình: To hint around, to beat around the bush (to speak indirectly or metaphorically to probe a reaction).
  • Đừng ướm bóng ướm hình nữa, hãy nói thẳng điều anh muốn. (Stop beating around the bush, just say what you want directly.)

verb

1. to try on, to try