chậm

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The Vietnamese word "chậm" is an adjective that means "slow." It is used to describe something that is not fast or takes a longer time to complete. Here’s a breakdown of the usage and meanings of "chậm":

Basic Meaning:

1. Slow in Movement or Action: It refers to the speed of an action or movement.

   • Example: "Ngựa chạy chậm, rồi dừng lại." (The horse ran slowly, then stopped.) This indicates the horse is not running fast.

2. Slow in Processing or Understanding: It can also describe someone who takes time to understand or process information.

   • Example: "Chậm hiểu." (To be slow in understanding.) This means someone may take longer to grasp concepts.

3. Slow Development: It can describe the pace of progress or development.

   • Example: "Sự phát triển chậm." (A slow development.) This indicates that progress is not happening quickly.

4. Time-Related Slowness: It can also be used to describe something that is behind in time.

   • Example: "Đồng hồ chậm năm phút." (The watch is five minutes slow.) This means the watch shows a time that is five minutes later than the actual time.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "chậm" to describe anything that is slower than expected, whether it’s speed, understanding, or development.
• It can be used in both positive and negative contexts depending on the situation.

Advanced Usage:

• "Làm chậm" can be used as a verb phrase, meaning "to slow down."
  • Example: "Làm chậm bước tiến của phong trào." (To slow down the advance of the movement.) This implies that something is causing a decrease in the speed of progress.

Word Variants:

• Chậm chạp: This is a more emphatic form that means sluggish or very slow.
• Chậm rãi: This means slow and deliberate, often used to describe a careful pace.

Different Meanings:

• "Chậm" can also imply being late or behind schedule in a broader sense, not just in terms of speed.
  • Example: "Tôi đã đến chậm." (I arrived late.) Here it indicates tardiness rather than just physical slowness.

Synonyms:

• Từ từ: Means gradually or slowly, often used in a similar context.
• Chậm chạp: As mentioned, this emphasizes slowness and can imply a lack of energy or motivation.
• Lừ đừ: This can mean sluggish or slow-moving, often used for describing a person or animal that is not active.

Academic

adj

1. Slow
   • ngựa chạy chậm, rồi dừng lại
     the horse ran slowly then stopped; the horse slowed down to a stop
   • ăn chậm nhai kỹ
     eat slowly and chew carefully
   • làm chậm bước tiến của phong trào
     to make the advance of the movement slower; to slow down the advance of the movement
   • chậm hiểu
     to be slow in understanding
   • sự phát triển chậm
     a slow development
   • đồng hồ chậm năm phút
     the watch is five minutes slow
   • anh ấy là người cẩn thận nhưng hơi chậm