ẵm

Thân thiện

Mẹ ẵm em bé trên tay.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To carry (a baby or small child) in one's arms: The primary meaning of "ẵm" is to hold and transport a young child, typically an infant or toddler, by cradling them in one's arms.
   • To steal, to pilfer (colloquial/slang): In informal contexts, "ẵm" can mean to take something stealthily or dishonestly, often implying the theft is quick and complete.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To carry a child):
  • Mẹ đang ẵm em bé ngủ. (The mother is carrying the sleeping baby.)
  • Anh ấy ẵm đứa con nhỏ ra xe. (He carried his small child out to the car.)
• Verb (To steal):
  • Tên trộm đã ẵm hết đồ có giá trị. (The thief made off with all the valuables.)
  • Ai đó đã ẵm mất chiếc điện thoại của tôi. (Someone swiped my phone.)

Advanced Usage

• "ẵm bồng": To carry and cradle (a child). This compound emphasizes the gentle, cradling action.
  • Bà nội ẵm bồng đứa cháu nhỏ. (The grandmother cradled her grandchild in her arms.)
• "ẵm ngửa": Literally "to carry (a baby) lying on its back." This is a set phrase referring specifically to an infant who is still being carried in arms, often before weaning.
  • Đứa trẻ còn ẵm ngửa. (The child is still an infant in arms.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bế (verb): A more common and general synonym for "to carry/hold a child in one's arms." "ẵm" can sometimes imply the child is very young or the action is more careful/cradling.
• Bồng (verb): Similar to "bế" and "ẵm," meaning to carry in one's arms.
• Ôm (verb): To hug or embrace. While "ôm" is for affection, "ẵm" is specifically for carrying a child.

Synonyms

• To carry (in one's arms): The direct translation for the primary meaning.
• To cradle: Emphasizes the gentle, protective way of holding.
• To steal, to pilfer, to swipe (colloquial): For the secondary, informal meaning.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• "ẵm" does not commonly form phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs do. Its meanings are typically conveyed through direct objects (e.g., ẵm em bé, ẵm đồ).

Related Idioms

• "Con còn ẵm ngửa": Refers to a very young infant, literally "a child still carried lying on its back." It signifies the earliest stage of childhood.
  • Từ thuở con còn ẵm ngửa. (Since I was just an infant in arms.)
• "ẵm giải" (colloquial): To win a prize or trophy, often unexpectedly or easily. This extends from the "taking" meaning.
  • Đội bóng đó ẵm luôn cúp vô địch. (That football team walked away with the championship cup.)

Học thuật

verb

1. To carry in one's arms
   • đứa bé còn ẵm ngửa
     a babe in arms, an infant in arms
   • từ thuở còn ẵm ngửa
     from an infant in arms
   • vợ tôi đang ẵm đứa con trai đầu lòng trên tay
     my wife is carrying the first son in her arms