nín thở
The Vietnamese phrase for 'hold your breath' is nín thở.
nín thở is used to describe the act of stopping your breathing for a short period of time.
Did you know?
- The word nín is also used in the phrase nín đi, which is a common way to tell a child to stop crying.
- The word nín in the phrase is a close relative of the word nén, which means to compress or press down, suggesting a physical suppression of the breath.
- Using nín thở to describe someone waiting for news conveys a sense of intense, breathless tension that goes beyond physical breathlessness.
Examples in context
- Bạn nên nín thở khi lặn xuống nước.You should hold your breath when diving underwater.
- Đừng nín thở quá lâu nhé.Don't hold your breath for too long.
- Tôi phải nín thở để đi qua vùng khói.I have to hold my breath to walk through the smoke.
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are practicing swimming in a pool.
- HùngLan ơi, hãy nín thở một chút nhé.Lan, please hold your breath for a moment.
- LanEm sẽ cố gắng, anh Hùng.I will try, Hùng.
- HùngTốt lắm, nín thở rồi bơi đi.Very good, hold your breath and swim.
- LanEm làm được rồi!I did it!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nín, thở, CC BY-SA 4.0.
