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Translation

Also found in: Vietnamese - French

cầm càng

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The Vietnamese word "cầm càng" is an informal term that has a couple of meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

Basic Meaning
  1. Pull a cart: This is the literal meaning, where "cầm" refers to holding or pulling, and "càng" refers to a cart or a vehicle. In this sense, it can be used to describe someone physically pulling a cart.

  2. Conduct (a band, an orchestra): In a musical context, "cầm càng" refers to the act of conducting a musical group, such as a band or an orchestra. The conductor leads the musicians, helping them stay in time and coordinating the performance.

Usage Instructions
  • In everyday conversation: You might use "cầm càng" when talking about helping someone with a cart, or if you’re discussing music and someone is conducting a group.

  • In a musical context: When referring to someone leading a musical performance, you can say, "Người đó cầm càng dàn nhạc rất tốt," which means "That person conducts the orchestra very well."

Example Sentences
  • Pulling a Cart: "Tôi cầm càng xe chở hàng đến cửa hàng" (I pull the cart carrying goods to the store).
  • Conducting: "Nhà chỉ huy sẽ cầm càng dàn nhạc trong buổi hòa nhạc tối nay" (The conductor will lead the orchestra in tonight's concert).
Advanced Usage
  • In music theory: You might hear "cầm càng" used in discussions about orchestration or musical arrangements, where the role of the conductor is crucial for the performance's success.
  • In teamwork or leadership context: Metaphorically, it can also refer to someone who takes charge of a group or project, guiding others to complete a task.
Word Variants
  • There aren’t specific variants of "cầm càng," but you can encounter related phrases depending on the context, such as "cầm nhạc" (conduct music) or "cầm trịch" (to preside over, to lead a meeting).
Different Meanings

While the primary meanings are as described above, "cầm càng" is not commonly used in more formal writing, and its informal nature makes it primarily suitable for spoken Vietnamese.

Synonyms
  • For the meaning of pulling a cart, you might use "kéo xe" (pull a cart).
  • For the meaning of conducting music, synonyms could include "chỉ huy" (lead) or "điều khiển" (control).
  1. Pull a cart
  2. khẩu ngữ) Conduct (a band, an orchestrạ..)

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