The Vietnamese word "gang tay" translates to "span" or "handspan" in English. It refers to a measurement based on the width of a person's hand when stretched out, typically about 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches).
Basic Usage:
Measurement Context: "Gang tay" is commonly used to describe a short distance or a specific length. For example, you can say:
Example: "Sợi dây dài hai gang tay" means "the cord is about two spans long."
Usage: This phrase can be used when measuring something that is not very long, like a piece of string or rope.
Distance Context: It can also describe how far apart two places are.
Example: "Hai làng cách nhau chưa đầy hai gang tay" translates to "the two villages are a short distance away from one another."
Usage: This can be used in conversation to indicate that two locations are very close to each other.
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, "gang tay" can be used metaphorically to describe closeness or intimacy, not just in physical distance but in relationships as well.
Word Variants:
The phrase "gang tay" itself does not have many variants, but it can be used in different contexts to mean different things based on what you are measuring or describing.
You may encounter "gang tay" in various forms of Vietnamese literature or spoken language, indicating both physical distance and emotional closeness.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
You can use "khoảng cách" (distance) as a general synonym when discussing physical distance, but it doesn’t specifically imply a handspan.
There are no direct synonyms for "gang tay" when used specifically as a measurement, but other forms of measurement might be considered depending on the context (like "mét" for meters).
Summary:
"gang tay" is a practical and versatile word in Vietnamese that serves as a useful measurement for both distance and physical space.