bặm

Vietnamese

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓam˧˨ʔ]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓam˨˩ʔ]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓam˨˩˨]

Verb

bặm • (𡀫)

1. to bite (one's lips)

   bặm miệng không khóc ― to bite one's lips and hold back one's tears

2. to clench; to compress

   Lúc mới tập đi xe đạp, tôi luôn bặm tay giữ ghi đông thật chặt.

   When I first learned to ride a bike, I always clenched my fists and held the handlebars really tightly.