cắn

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "cắn" is a verb that primarily means "to bite." It is used in various contexts and can describe the action of biting something physically, like food or an object, as well as metaphorically in different phrases.

Basic Usage:

1. To Bite: This is the most common meaning. For example:

   • cắn miếng bánh: This means "to have a bite of cake" or "to bite off a bit of cake."
   • Example Sentence: "Tôi muốn cắn miếng bánh này." (I want to have a bite of this cake.)

2. To Suppress Emotion: It can also mean to "bite" in a figurative sense, where one bites their lips to suppress emotions.

   • cắn chặt môi để khỏi bật tiếng khóc: This translates to "to bite one's lips to suppress a sob."
   • Example Sentence: "Cô ấy cắn chặt môi khi nghe tin buồn." (She bit her lips when she heard the sad news.)

Advanced Usage:

1. Describing Conditions: "cắn" can describe situations or conditions, particularly unpleasant ones.

   • rét cắn da cắn thịt: This phrase means "a biting cold," referring to very cold weather that feels sharp or painful.
   • Example Sentence: "Mùa đông năm nay thật rét cắn da cắn thịt." (This winter is really biting cold.)

2. Fishing: In a fishing context, it means when a fish bites the bait.

   • cá cắn câu: This means "the fish bites."
   • Example Sentence: "Chúng ta đã đợi lâu nhưng vẫn chưa có cá cắn câu." (We have waited long but still no fish have bitten.)

3. Fitting or Sticking: It can describe things that fit well together or stick tightly.

   • bàn đóng cắn mộng: This means "the table's boards fit well."
   • Example Sentence: "Các mảnh ghép này cắn mộng rất khít." (These pieces fit together very tightly.)

4. Fullness: It can describe something that is full, especially in the context of containers.

   • thúng thóc đầy cắn cạp: This means "the level of paddy in the basket fitted well with its brim."
   • Example Sentence: "Thúng thóc này cắn cạp, không còn chỗ nào để thêm." (This basket of paddy is full to the brim; there’s no room to add more.)

Word Variants:

• "cắn" can appear in different forms or compounds, often retaining the meaning of biting or fitting together.
• cắn xé: This means "to bite and tear," indicating a more aggressive action.
• cắn môi: This means "to bite one's lip," often used in contexts of anxiety or nervousness.

Synonyms:

• mút: This means "to suck," which is slightly different but can be used in contexts involving biting or chewing.
• nhai: This means "to chew," which is closely related to the act of biting food.
• cắn đứt: This means "to bite off," indicating a more forceful action.

Different Meanings:

While "cắn" primarily refers to the action of biting, its usage can vary widely depending on context, allowing it to convey a range of meanings from physical actions to emotional expressions and descriptions of fit or fullness.

Academic

verb

1. To bite
   • cắn miếng bánh
     to have a bite of cake, to bite off a bit of cake
   • cắn chặt môi để khỏi bật tiếng khóc
     to bite one's lips to suppress a sob
   • rét cắn da cắn thịt
     a biting cold
   • cá cắn câu
     the fish bites
2. To pit well
   • bàn đóng cắn mộng
     the table's boards fit well
   • thúng thóc đầy cắn cạp
     the level of paddy in the basket fitted well with its brim; the basket of paddy was full to the brim
3. To stick fast