tan

/tæn/

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "tan" has several meanings and uses, primarily as a verb. Here’s an easy breakdown for new learners:

Basic Definition:

1. Dissolve/Melt/Thaw: "Tan" can refer to the process of something becoming liquid as it heats up or mixes with a liquid.

   • Example: "Cho đường vào nước nóng cho tan." (Put sugar into hot water to dissolve.)

2. Disperse/Close/End: "Tan" can also mean to disperse or end, like when a group of people goes their separate ways.

   • Example: "Buổi họp đã tan." (The meeting has ended.)

Usage Instructions:

• Use "tan" when talking about substances changing from solid to liquid or when a group or situation comes to an end.
• It is often used with objects, materials, or in reference to gatherings of people.

Advanced Usage:

• In a more abstract sense, "tan" can describe the end of a relationship or a situation, indicating that something is no longer together or functional.
  • Example: "Mối quan hệ của họ đã tan." (Their relationship has broken down.)

Word Variants:

• Tan rã: This means to break apart or disintegrate, often used in a more dramatic sense.

  • Example: "Đội bóng đã tan rã sau mùa giải." (The team broke apart after the season.)

• Tan chảy: This specifically means to melt, usually used when talking about ice or chocolate.

  • Example: "Khi trời nóng, băng sẽ tan chảy." (When it’s hot, the ice will melt.)

Different Meanings:

• Tan can also refer to the concept of "being over" or "finished," which can apply to events or time periods.
  • Example: "Cuộc thi đã tan." (The competition is over.)

Synonyms:

• For "dissolve/melt": hoà tan (to dissolve), chảy (to flow or melt).
• For "disperse/end": giải tán (to disperse), kết thúc (to finish).

Academic

verb

1. to dissolve, to melt, to thaw. into pieces. to be over, to close, to disperse