bén

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The Vietnamese word "bén" has several meanings and uses in the language, which can be understood in both an adjective and a verb form.

Meaning and Usage:

1. As an Adjective:

   • Sharp: When "bén" is used as an adjective, it describes something that is sharp, particularly a knife or blade.
   • Example: "Con dao này rất bén." (This knife is very sharp.)

2. As a Verb:

   • To Touch / To Set Foot: As a verb, "bén" means to touch or to set foot in a place. It often conveys the idea of coming into contact with something or someone.
   • Example: "Nó không dám bén chân đến nhà bạn nó." (He dares not set foot in his friend's house.)

Advanced Usage:

• Figurative Expressions: In more advanced contexts, "bén" can be used in idiomatic expressions. For example:

  • "Lúc nào cũng vội vã, chân bước không bén đất." (Always in a hurry, he walks so fast that his feet hardly touch the ground.) This expression emphasizes extreme speed or urgency.

• Following Someone: The phrase "theo bén gót" means "to follow closely" or "to follow on someone's heels."

  • Example: "Cô ấy luôn theo bén gót anh trai." (She always follows closely behind her brother.)

Different Meanings:

• Catching Fire: "Bén" can also mean to catch fire, especially in the context of something flammable catching flames.
  • Example: "Lửa bén vào mái tranh." (The fire caught the straw roof.)

Synonyms:

• For "sharp" (as an adjective): "sắc"
• For "to touch" (as a verb): "chạm," "đặt chân"
• For "to follow closely": "theo sát," "đi theo"

Word Variants:

• "Bén" can be used in various grammatical forms depending on the sentence structure, but it generally retains its core meanings as described above.

Academic

adj

1. Sharp
   • dao bén
     a sharp knife

verb

1. To touch, to set
   • lúc nào cũng vội vã, chân bước không bén đất
     always in a hurry, he walks so fast that his feet hardly touch the ground
   • nó không dám bén chân đến nhà bạn nó
     he dares not set foot in his friend's house
   • theo bén gót
     to follow someone (as close as) to touch his heels, to follow on someone's heels
2. To catch
   • lửa bén vào mái tranh
     the fire caught the straw roof