Introduction
Rationale for choosing the study
Language is a vital means of communication, with English being one of the most widely used languages worldwide due to its numerous benefits In Vietnam, the popularity of English continues to grow rapidly, and it is increasingly being taught and spoken everywhere, reflecting its importance in global connectivity.
Comparing English and Vietnamese allows us to explore their key differences and similarities, providing deeper insights into the diverse cultures of their speakers Understanding these linguistic connections enhances cross-cultural awareness and promotes better communication between English and Vietnamese speakers Exploring the parallels and distinctions between these languages helps us appreciate the rich cultural backgrounds of countries where they are spoken.
Eating is considered one of the most essential aspects of our lives, often summarized by the phrase "eat to live, but don’t live to eat," highlighting its fundamental importance The significance and effects of eating are diverse and profound, impacting both physical health and emotional well-being Sometimes, people eat for sentimental reasons rather than nutritional needs, using food as a source of comfort and pleasure Many view eating as a form of enjoyment rather than merely fulfilling a material requirement, emphasizing its emotional and cultural significance.
Eating is more than just consuming food; it is a social and cultural act governed by various standards People carefully choose their food based on questions like what to eat, how to obtain it, and with whom to share it, reflecting diverse cultural norms Mealtime practices, including when, where, and how we eat, are influenced by social etiquette and sensitivities, which not everyone navigates perfectly due to the complexity and richness of social life.
This study aims to enhance understanding of the usage of the verb "to eat" and its Vietnamese equivalents, providing valuable insights for language learners It also serves as a tool for teaching English verbs and verb phrases to Vietnamese students The research focuses on analyzing how these verbs are used in different contexts, facilitating more effective language instruction For these reasons, we chose the subject titled “A Study on the Verbs and Verb Phrases Denoting 'To Eat'.”
“eating” in English” with a hope that this study will make a small contribution to the teaching and learning of English verbs.
Aims of the study
- Helping Vietnamese learners understand the usages of the verb “to eat” with its synonyms
- Helping learners leave out their errors in the process of learning English
- Studying the verbs and verb phrases denoting “eating” in English
- Giving some suggestions to improve learner’s knowledge about the verb
This thesis comprises of three main parts:
This part states the rationale, aims, methods, scope, and design of the study
This part is subdivided into three chapters
Chapter 2 The verbs and verb phrases denoting “eating” in English Chapter 3 some suggestions for teaching and learning the verb “to eat”
This part states the summary of the study and some suggestions for further research.
Design of the study
This thesis comprises of three main parts:
This part states the rationale, aims, methods, scope, and design of the study
This part is subdivided into three chapters
Chapter 2 The verbs and verb phrases denoting “eating” in English Chapter 3 some suggestions for teaching and learning the verb “to eat”
This part states the summary of the study and some suggestions for further research.
Development
Theoretical Background
A "word" is an intermediate linguistic unit that is smaller than a phrase but larger than a single sound segment Its definition can vary based on focus, whether on its written representation, the thought or meaning it conveys, or formal linguistic criteria Understanding these different perspectives is essential for grasping the complex nature of words in language structure.
Therefore, up to now, there have been many definitions of the term
“word” from different aspects Among many different definitions, we can accept the two following ones, which seem to be the most satisfactory:
In Hoàng Tất Tr-ờng (1993:11), “A word is a dialectical unity of form and content, independent unit of language to form a sentence by itself”
According to Nguyễn Hoà, “Words are regarded as the smallest indivisible meaningful units of a language which can operate independently 1.1.2 The meaning of word
There are two main types of meaning found in words: lexical meaning and grammatical meaning
Lexical meaning represents the realization of concepts or emotions through words, conveying specific ideas and feelings In contrast, grammatical meaning serves to connect words with different lexical meanings, providing structural relationships within language These meanings are embedded within words themselves and do not exist as separate entities in people's consciousness Understanding the distinction between lexical and grammatical meanings is essential for grasping how language effectively communicates complex ideas.
Different forms of the word will share the same lexical meaning, but different grammatical meanings: teach- teaches- teaching- taught, for example
Different words may share the same grammatical meaning but different
The words whose lexical meaning is clear are called notional words They name objects, actions, qualities, etc…
The words whose prevailing meaning is grammatical are called functional words They are particles articles, prepositions, etc…
Lexical and grammatical meanings do not exist separately but always go together to make up the meaning of a word
There are two sub-types of lexical meaning: denotational and connotational meanings
Denotational meaning refers to the direct reference or indication of things, concepts, or phenomena For example, the word "bird" denotes an animal capable of flight, while terms like "father," "dad," and "daddy" refer to male parents Additionally, words such as "rain" and "shine" denote natural weather phenomena, illustrating how denotation provides precise, literal meanings that point to specific objects, people, or events.
When the referent is a concept, an abstract thing, we have significative denotation and when it is an individual object, we have demonstrative denotation
The connotational meaning shows us how things, concepts, etc are indicated or denoted It conveys the speaker’s attitude, emotions, and so on
“Father, dad, daddy” as mentioned above, have the same denotational meaning but different connotational meaning, and so do “house, shack, slum”…
Connotation may consist of emotion, evaluation, intensity, and stylistic colouring
There are nine kinds of connotation:
- Connotation of degree of intensity
1.1.3 Components of the word-meaning
There are 4 major components of meaning: denotation, connotation, structural meaning and categorial meaning a) Denotation exists by virtue of what it refers to It includes conceptual and referential meanings
- Conceptual meaning: (sometimes called “denotative” or “cognitive”,
“denotation”) is widely assumed to be the central factor in linguistic communication It has a complex and sophisticated organisation
Human male adult For example: Woman + _ + Boy + + _
- Referential meaning: is the ability to refer to objects or things (often called referent)
For example: In the sentence “My daughter wants to be a doctor”, only
The phrase "my daughter" clearly has a specific referent, unlike "a doctor," which is more general Connotation encompasses the social and affective meanings associated with words, including stylistic, evaluative, emotional, and intensifying aspects, which are shaped by the context, time, place, and the speaker's intention This type of meaning is often unstable, varying significantly across different cultures, historical periods, and personal experiences Additionally, structural meaning refers to the significance a word gains through its relationship within a linguistic system or set, encompassing reflected, collocative, associative, and thematic meanings.
Reflected meaning occurs when a single word or phrase evokes multiple conceptual interpretations, often influencing our responses For example, both "the 40th President of the US" and "the Great Communicator" refer to Ronald Reagan, but the latter emphasizes his personality traits over his political role The phrase "the Great Communicator" is more appealing and highlights Reagan's charismatic communication skills, showcasing how reflected meaning enhances recognition and perception Incorporating reflected meanings enriches language by connecting different aspects of a person's identity, making descriptions more engaging and memorable.
- Collocative meaning: consists of the associations a word acquires on account of the meanings of words which tend to occur in its environment girl boy
Pretty boy handsome man woman car flower airliner
There can be handsome and pretty woman
- Associative meaning: also is the meaning which arises because of its association with other meanings For example, good – bad, buy – sell, hard – soft
- Thematic meaning: is the kind of meaning which is communicated by the way in which a speaker or writer organises the message in terms of ordering, focus, and emphasis
Categorial meaning is a vital aspect of grammatical meaning, referring to the intrinsic classification of words based on their grammatical category Words are categorized as nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, and other parts of speech, which determine their grammatical function in sentences For example, the difference between "The dog chased the cat" and "The cat was chased by the dog" illustrates how categorial roles affect sentence structure and meaning Recognizing a word's grammatical category helps clarify sentence construction and overall meaning, making categorial meaning fundamental to understanding language syntax and semantics.
A lexical field is a system for organizing related words and expressions based on their semantic relationships For example, words like "father," "mother," "uncle," and "aunt" are all part of the same lexical field, illustrating their connection within a specific category Understanding lexical fields enhances vocabulary development and improves language comprehension by highlighting how words are interconnected within particular themes Effective use of lexical fields can optimize SEO by including relevant keywords and related terms to boost content visibility and search engine ranking.
(http://www.google.com.vn/search.lexical field)
Synonyms are a common linguistic phenomenon found across all languages, yet they remain one of the most debated topics in modern linguistics Some linguists question the very existence of true synonyms, arguing that words considered synonymous often have nuanced differences The nature and relationship of these words continue to be hotly debated within the field, leading to diverse interpretations and approaches in linguistic analysis.
So far, there are many differnet definitions of synonyms In
Nguyễn Hòa (2004) defines synonyms as expressions with the same meanings, emphasizing that they are words belonging to the same part of speech with similar, but not identical, meanings He explains that synonyms can share either denotational or connotational meanings and may differ in these aspects According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2000), a synonym is a word or phrase that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another in specific contexts.
A synonym is a word or expression that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another, making it a vital tool in enhancing language flexibility and variety Understanding how to effectively use synonyms can improve your writing's clarity and engagement, whether you're crafting content, academic work, or casual communication Incorporating synonyms thoughtfully not only enriches your vocabulary but also helps avoid repetition, making your content more interesting and SEO-friendly Mastering the use of synonyms is essential for developing clear, diverse, and impactful language skills.
According to Hoàng Tất Tr-ờng (1993:72), “Synonyms are phonetically and morphologically different words belonging to the same part of speech, possessing similar denotation but differing in connotation, combinability, etc”
According to George Yule, synonyms are defined as two or more words with very closely related meanings that are often, but not always, interchangeable in sentences This definition highlights the subtle nuances in synonym use and their impact on language clarity and precision Understanding Yule's perspective on synonyms is essential for effective communication and writing, as it emphasizes the importance of context when selecting the appropriate word.
In English, there are approximately 8,000 synonymic groups, each consisting of words with similar meanings A synonymic group includes all synonyms related to a specific concept, with one synonymic dominant that is the most general and neutral term For example, in the group "to eat, to devour, to gobble, to scoff," the word "to eat" serves as the synonymic dominant due to its broad and neutral usage Understanding synonymic groups and their dominant words is essential for precise and effective communication, especially in SEO writing.
The synonymic dominant features a simple semantic structure, comprising only denotation without connotation, and represents the most general notion shared by all synonyms within a group Its broad and generalized meaning allows it to be substituted for any other synonym in the same group English's richness in synonyms is primarily due to the extensive borrowing of words from other languages, which expands its vocabulary and variety of synonyms.
Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng and Lê Quốc Hạnh (2003) discuss V.V Vinogradov's classification of synonyms, which includes three main types: ideographic synonyms that convey the same notion but vary in shades of meaning, stylistic synonyms that differ in stylistic characteristics, and absolute synonyms that are identical in all shades of meaning and stylistic features.
According to Hoàng Tất Tr-ờng (1993:73), synonyms are classified into five types:
Nguyễn Hoà (2004:76) concurs with Hoàng Tất Tr-êng in classifying territorial synonyms but further expands the categories by including euphemisms and absolute or full synonyms Euphemisms serve as softer, more polite alternatives to direct terms, while absolute or full synonyms are words with identical or nearly identical meanings used interchangeably Analyzing these additional types provides a deeper understanding of how territorial synonyms function within language, emphasizing their role in nuanced communication and stylistic variation.
Absolute synonyms Lyons (1995) introduces the notion of absolute synonym According to him, two (or more) expressions are absolute synonyms if, and only if, they satisfy the following three conditions:
- All their meanings are identical
- They are synonymous in all contexts
- They are semantically equivalent on all dimensions of meanings and descriptive and non-descriptive
The verbs and verb phrases denoting “eating” in English
“eating” in English 2.1 The verb “to eat” with its synonyms
According to the Oxford Modern English Dictionary (Vietnamese Linguistic Institute-Dong Nai Publishing House, 1997), "eating is an action of taking food into the mouth, chewing, and swallowing." However, the verb "to eat" is not suitable in all contexts due to its denotation and connotation Depending on attitudes, emotions, and ways of eating, English offers a variety of words to express this action These semantic synonyms of "to eat" include different terms used in specific contexts to convey nuances related to eating behaviors and experiences.
2.1.1 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat food”
This is the basic meaning of “eat”
- I’m so full I couldn’t eat another thing
- Ken’s decided to stop eating meat for a few weeks
- Eat your dinner before it goes cold
- No wonder she’s so overweight- she’s always eating
(7:394) Besides, the following verbs and verb phrases are also used to express this sense: have, consume, swallow, tuck in, feed, lick
Have: an informal word meaning to eat something
- If you are hungry, have a sandwich
- I will just have one more piece of cake
Consume: a word used especially in scientific or technical contexts meaning to eat or drink something
- In order to survive human beings need to consume food and water
- People who consume large amounts of animal fats are more likely to get cancer and heart disease
Swallow: to move food from the mouth to the stomach through the throat, to eat without chewing
- He just swallows his food, he is always in a hurry
- Chew your food properly before swallowing it
Tuck in / into: an informal British expression meaning to eat eagerly and with enjoyment
- Dinner is ready everyone Tuck in!
- He was tucking into a large plate of spaghetti
Feed: to supply with food to eat (especially to babies or animals)
- The cows are feeding on hay
- Is it time to feed the babies?
- She was in the park, feeding the birds
(1:16) Lick: to eat something by rubbing it with the tongue
- Johnny was sitting in the kitchen licking an ice-cream
- It was so delicious, I licked every last bit of it off my plate
2.1.2 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat a meal”
With this sense, we also can use “eat” to express
- Where shall we eat tonight?
- Maxim’s is one of the best places to eat in this town
In addition, we also can use some following verbs and expressions to replace “eat” in the different contexts such as:
Have: to eat a particular meal
- Shall we have dinner now?
- It is very important to have a good breakfast in the morning
- They had an exquisite meal in an Indonesian restaurant
Dine: a formal word meaning to have a meal with other people, often a formal or official meal, especially in the evening
- I have received an invitation to dine with the Mayor
- They dined at eight with the Smiths
Grab something/ a bite to eat: to eat something quickly such as a small meal or a piece of bread, because you are in a hurry
- Let’s grab something to eat before we go out
- Do you want to grab a bite to eat or can you wait until we get home? (7:394)
Have something to eat: to eat something such as a small meal or a piece of bread
- Haflway to Berlin we stopped to have something to eat
- The movie did not start for another, so we had something to eat in the cafe over the road
Have a snack: to eat a small meal in the time between the main meals
- He prefers to just have a snack at lunchtime and a larger meal in the evening
- Do you feel like having a snack now or would you rather wait?
Snack: an American word meaning to eat small amounts of food fairly regularly throughout the day
- Children who snack are often developing poor eating habits
- Tim was always snacking on potato chips and popcorn so he never ate good healthy food
2.1.3 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat too much”
In order to express this sense, we have the following verbs and verb phrases:
Overeat: to regularly eat more than is healthy or necessary
- I notice you have been overeating recently You need to watch your weight
- Many people who overeat do nso for psychological reasons rather than from hunger
Guzzle: to eat greedily, noisily, and quickly
- She guzzles a lot of food, doesn’t she?
- He has been guzzling my ice-cream again What a big!
Stuff/ Gorge oneself: informal expressions meaning to eat so much food that you can not eat anything else
- Don’t stuff yourself like that, Pamela You will make yourself ill
- Having stuff himself with burgers, Terry found it impossible to eat desert
Pig out (on): an informal expression meaning to eat a lot more than is healthy or necessary
- Last night, we pigged out and ate three pizzas
- When he has depressed, he always pigs out on ice- cream
Make a pig of oneself: an informal expression meaning to eat too much food, which is considered rude because you are eating with other people
- I made a real pig of myself, I had two whole pizzasall for myself
- Don’t make such a pig of yourself, you have eaten enough
2.1.4 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat very quickly”
Using the verb "to eat" alone often fails to convey the complete meaning, requiring additional verbs and expressions to express context and nuance effectively Phrases like "eat breakfast," "eat lunch," "eat dinner," or idiomatic expressions such as "eat out," "eat up," and "eat well" enhance clarity and specificity Incorporating these phrases improves communication and aligns with SEO best practices by utilizing relevant keywords related to dining and meal-related activities.
Bolt (down): to eat something too quickly, especially because you are in a hurry
- He had to bolt down his breakfast in order to catch the bus to work (15:203)
- He bolted down two hamburgers then washed them down with Coca- Cola
Gobble (up): to eat something too quickly and noisily, especially because you are taking a lot of food into your mouth
- Don’t gobble your food- it is bad manners
- Mike gobbled his lunch up then dashed off to meet his next client (7:395)
Wolf (down): an informal word meaning to eat food quickly and eagerly, especially you are very hungry or are in a hurry
- He just wolfs his food (down); you would think we did not feed him enough
- I wolfed down my breakfast but still felt hungry
2.1.5 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat noisily”
In order to express this sense, we have two following verbs
Munch: to eat something noisily, especially for a long time
- Paul spent the whole afternoon munching a packet of biscuits
- Mark was slowly munching his last piece of cake
Crunch: to noisily eat something hard
- He drank his orange juice and crunched a half burnt piece of toast
- Jill was reading the paper, crunching a raw carrot as she read
2.1.6 “Eat” wit h the meaning “ to eat all of something and not leave any”
With this sense, we can use some following verbs and expressions
Finish (off/ up): to eat until nothing is left
- The boys finished off the ice-cream at great speed
- Can someone finish up these strawberries, otherwise they will just be thrown away?
Devour: to eat all of something quickly because you are very hungry
- After the tennis match the boys devoured the sanwiches in seconds
- There was a plague of slugs, devouring all the green vegetablesin the whole village
Demolish: a humorous word meaning to eat all of something very quickly
- The kids demolished the cake in a few minutes
- I have seen Marian demolish a big box of chocolates in one sitting! (7:395)
Scoff: an informal British word meaning to eat something quickly and greedily, and especially to finish it all
- I left three pies in the fridge and someone has scoffed the lot
- Next door’s cat has scoffed all Ginger’s grub
- He scoffed all the food and left none for us
Polish off: to eat everything that is available, with great enjoyment, until there is none leff
- At dinner he polished off six fudge brownies and then asked for some more
- If anyone wants more pizzas, come and get it before Dan polishes it all off (7:395)
2.1.7 “Eat” with the meaning “ to eat small amounts of food, especially because you are not hungry or do not like what you are eating ”
In order to describe this way of eating, the following verbs and expressions can be used:
Nibble (at): to eat small pieces of food by taking small bites (eat small amounts)
- Everyone stood around, drinking cocktails and nibbling potato chips
- The rabbit sniffed at the lettuce leaf and then began to nibble slowly (7:395)
- The boy was nibbling at a biscuit
Peck at: to eat in small amounts without much interest (eat food listlessly)
- She did not feel hungry and just pecked at her food
Pick at: to only eat a liitle bit of a meal because you are not hungry or because you feel ill or unhappy
- I felt terrible and I only picked at my dinner
- I sat picking at my Christmas pudding, wishing I were somewhere else (7:395)
Hardly touch your food/ dinner/ meal etc: to eat almost none of your food, dinner, meal.etc
- Are you feeling okay? You have hardly touched your dinner
- We were so full by the time dessert came that we hardly touched it (7:396)
Be a fussy/ picky eater: to refuse to eat particular types of food and only eat food that you especially like
- Stan is such a picky eater, it is impossible to know what to cook for him (7:396)
Play/toy with one’s food: to use the fork, spoon, etc to move the food around the plate instead of eating it
- Don’t play with your food If you do not want it, leave it
- He toyed with his food while he considered his answer
2.1.8 “Eat” with the meaning “to eat less in order to lose weight”
With this sense, we only can use the following synonym to express
Diet (v): to only eat something that are permitted in order to help you lose weight
- I have been dieting for two months and I have lost 6 kilos
- She dieted, went on exercise programs but still she did not attain that perfect figure she was looking for
Diet (n): an eating plan that controls the type and amount of food that you eat so that you lose weight
- Since she started her diet, she just nibbles at a carrot for her lunch
- I have tried all the diets and they never work
- This new diet involves eating very small amounts throughout the day (7:396)
Go/be on a diet: to decide to follow an eating plan that controls the type and amount of food that you eat so that you lose weight
- She went on a diet four weeks ago but she still looks fat
- I am going on a strict diet, starting next week
2.1.9 “Eat” with the meaning “to stop eating for religious reasons”
In order to express this sense, the following synonyms can be used:
Fast (v)/ Go on a fast: to eat little or no food for a fixed period of time, especially for religious reasons
- He lived alone for several years, praying and fasting
- The inhabitants of the island fast twice weekly on bread and water
- During Ramanda, Moslems go on a month-long fast
Fast (n): a period of time when a person eats little or no food, especially for religious reasons
- The fast lasts for three days so I try not to think about food
- The people hold a fast and then have a great banquet at the end as a celebration
2.1.10 “Eat’ with the negative meaning
The following synonyms are usually used to express this sense:
Refuse food: to not eat any of the food that has been offered to you
- Reporters noticed that the princess started refusing food at official dinners
- Most babies refuse cereals that are not sweetened
Starve oneself: to refuse to eat, with the result that someone make oneself ill or even die
- Gina had an argument with her mother and was determined to get revenge by starving herself
- The police are saying that he starved himself to death
- She is starving herlf to try to lose weight
A hunger strike is a protest method where an individual refuses to eat for days or weeks to raise awareness or oppose a political issue This form of activism draws public and media attention to the cause, highlighting the protester's determination to make their voice heard Going on a hunger strike can be a powerful, non-violent way to advocate for change and influence public opinion or government action.
- More than 300 prisoners went on hunger stricke in February in protest against the living conditions
- The Palestinians have been on hunger strike since last Tuesday in what seems a futile attempt to get prisoners released
(7:396) The above verbs and expressions are semantic synonyms of the verb
The verb "to eat" in English encompasses various ways of consuming food, each with its own nuanced meaning, but it remains the most common term In Vietnamese, there is a rich array of synonyms such as "ăn," "xơi," "dùng," "hốc," "tọng," "thời," and "chén," which describe different styles and contexts of eating This diversity highlights the cultural variations in how the act of eating is expressed and understood across languages.
+ “¡n” is the dominant synonym It expresses an essential act of people + “Xơi” is eating courteously
+ “Hốc, tọng” is eating greedily
+ “Thêi, chÐn” emphasizes on the hedonisty
2.2 Idioms containing the verb “to eat” in English and their equivalents in Vietnamese
Eat away at something/ eat something away : to eat something gradually and make it wear out with the time
- The river is eating away at the bank
(Dòng sông đang lấn dần vào bờ)
- New buildings are eating away the character of this historic town
(Những toà nhà mới đang làm mất đi bản sắc của thành phố lịch sử này)
In Vietnamese, we always use the words “ăn dần, ăn mòn, xói mòn, làm mÊt ®i” to convey this idiom
Eat up : to eat all of something (literal meaning)
(Hãy ăn hết bữa tối của anh đi!) this idiom also means to use or deal with rapidly or wastefully (figurative meaning)
- This motorcycle eats up much petrol
(Chiếc xe này rất ăn xăng)
- The project is eating up a third of the organization’s entire research budget
(Đề án đang ngốn hết một phần ba trong tổng số ngân sách dành cho nghiên cứu của tổ chức)
(15:604) “Ăn hết, ngốn hết, ăn sạch” are its equivalents in Vietnamese
Eat somebody alive/ eat somebody for breakfast : to overwhelm or defeat thoroughly
- She will eat him for breakfast
(Cô ấy sẽ chinh phục đ-ợc anh ta)
- That woman will eat him alive
(Ng-ời đàn bà ấy sẽ khống chế đ-ợc ông ta)
(15:604) This idiom is equal to “có khả năng chinh phục, khống chế hay lợi dụng ai đó” in Vietnamese
Eat like a horse : to eat very strongly and much
- She is very thin but she eats like a horse
(Cô ta gầy thế nh-ng lại ăn rất khỏe)
- My brother eats like a horse but never puts on any weight
(Anh tôi ăn rất nhiều nh-ng không mập ra đ-ợc)
In Vietnamese, this idiom means “ăn khoẻ, ăn nhiều”
Eat out of someone’s hand : to be manipulated or dominated by another
- She soon had the class eating out of her hand
(Chẳng bao lâu, cô ấy đã quy phục đ-ợc cả lớp học) (15:604)
“Quy phục, phục tùng ai đó” is its Vietnamese equivalent
Eat humble pie : admit one’s mistakes and apologize or be dishonoured This idiom means “phải xin lỗi, phải nhận lỗi, chịu nhục” in Vietnamese
- When he realizes that I am telling the truth, he will have to eat humble pie
(Khi nào anh ta hiểu ra là tôi đang nói thật, anh ta sẽ hối hận)
- I had to eat humble pie when Harry, who I said would never have any success, got the first prize
(Tôi phải xuống giọng khi Harry, ng-ời mà tôi nói rằng sẽ không bao giờ thành công đ-ợc gì, đã đoạt giải nhất)
Eat one’s dinner (term): to study for the bar or to be a law student
In Vietnamese, we use the expression “học để làm luật sư” to convey this idiom
- His parents wants him eat his dinner
(Bố mẹ anh ta muốn anh ta trở thành một luật s-.) (http:// www.answers.com/ topic/ eat)
Eat one’s heart out : to feel bitter anguish or grief
“Đau đớn âm thầm, héo hon mòn mỏi đi vì sầu khổ” is its equivalent in Vietnamese
- Since he left, she has been sitting at home eating her heart out
(Từ khi anh ta bỏ đi, cô ta ngồi nhà âm thầm đau khổ)
- He is eating his heart out for that woman
(Ông ta âm thầm đau khổ vì ng-ời đàn bà ấy) (15:604)
Eat one’s words : to retract something that one has said
We can use the expression “rút lại ý kiến của mình, thừa nhận sai lầm của m×nh” to convey this idiom into Vietnamese
- Nick told everyone that he would be picked for the team, but when he was not chosen, he had to eat his words
(Nick bảo mọi ng-ời rằng anh ta sẽ đ-ợc chọn vào đội tuyển, nh-ng khi không đ-ợc chọn, anh ta bèn rút lại ý kiến của mình)
Eat one’s head off : to eat large and expensive quantities of food “Ăn tàn phá hại” is its Vietnamese equivalent
- Horse eats its head off
(Ngựa ăn hại chẳng đ-ợc tích sự gì)
Eat someone out of house and home : to eat a lot of food that someone else must pay for (often joke)
This idiom means “ăn đến nỗi ai phải sạt nghiệp vì mình” in Vietnamese
- I hope your brother will not stay much longer, he is eating us out of house and home!
(Tôi hy vọng thằng em của anh không ở lại lâu hơn nữa, nó đang ăn hết nhà hết cửa của chúng tôi)
(Mỗi khi cô ta đến ở lại chơi, cô ta ăn sạch nhà chúng tôi luôn) (15:604)
Eat oneself sick on something : to eat so much that feel ill
This idiom is equal to “ăn quá nhiều cái gì đến mức cảm thấy hay bị nôn oẹ” in Vietnamese
- The children would eat themselves sick on chocolate if I let them
(Bọn trẻ con sẽ ăn sôcôla đến mức nôn oẹ nếu tôi cho phép chúng ăn tự do)
Eat into something : destroy gradually, or erode (literal meaning)
In Vietnamese, this idiom means “phá huỷ, phân huỷ, ăn mòn”
(Axit ăn mòn kim loại)
- Aicd rain is eating into the stone walls
(M-a axit đang phá huỷ dần những bức t-ờng đá)
Or waste something (figurative meaning): tiêu phí cái gì
- Paying for that new carpet has been eaten into my savings
(Chi tiêu mua tấm thảm mới đó đã lẹm vào khoản tiền tiết kiệm của tôi) (15:604)
Eat out : to eat meal in a restaurant
“Ăn ở nhà hàng” is its Vietnamese equivalent
We enjoy going to the movies once a month, making it a regular entertainment activity Additionally, we prefer dining out at restaurants every two months to relax and try new cuisines.
What is eating somebody? (usually in progressive) to make somebody worry or annoy
- Tom is very quiet tonight – what is eating him?
(Tối nay Tom rất ít nói – anh ta đang lo lắng chuyện gì vậy?) (15:603) This idiom means “gây buồn phiền, lo lắng cho ai” in Vietnamese
Having somebody eating out of one’s hand : to control somebody completely and make them do every wish
In Vietnamese, this idiom means “Hoàn toàn chi phối ai khiến họ phải làm theo mọi ý muốn của mình”
- Once they knew that they could never hope to escape without his help, he had them eating out of his hand
(Một khi họ biết họ sẽ không mong trốn thoát nếu không nhờ ông ta giúp, họ đành làm theo mọi sai khiến của ông ta) (15:604)
Eat somebody up (especially in passive): to haunt or to worry
In order to convey this idiom, the Vietnamese always uses the following words: “ám ảnh, lo âu, chết dần”
- Jealousy is eating him up
(Lòng đố kỵ đang làm anh ta chết dần chết mòn)
- She has been eaten up with envy
(Cô ấy đang bị ám ảnh bởi tính ghen tuông)
- Pride is eating her up
(Tính kiêu căng đang dần giết chết cô ấy) (Lac viet mtd2002, EVA)
Dogs eat dogs : to compete drastically, regardless of harming or hurting others
- In the modern business world, it is dogs eat dog in the search for success
(Trong thế giới kinh doanh hiện đại, sự tìm kiếm thành công có nghĩa là cá lớn nuốt cá bé)
“Cuộc tranh đua tàn nhẫn, cuộc sát phạt lẫn nhau” are its equivalents in Vietnamese
Sometimes, we use the verb “to eat” in the following sentences in order to joke
I will eat my head / hat : an expression affirms something will never happen (usually following with if – clause in order to show the doubt)
- They are always late – if they get here before eight o’clock, I will eat my head
(Họ luôn luôn tới trễ - nếu họ mà đến đây tr-ớc 8 giờ thì tôi cứ gọi là đi lộn đầu xuống đất)
- Well, if that car starts, I will eat my hat
(Nếu chiếc xe ấy nổ máy đ-ợc, tôi sẽ đi đầu xuống đất) (15:604)
Well, don’t eat me ! (a humorous expression) (Này, định ăn thịt tôi à!)
Have one’s cake and eat it (usually in negative statements)
- I will have no money at all left after this holiday But you are having a great time, aren’t you You can not have your cake and eat it!
Sau kỳ nghỉ này, tôi sẽ không còn đồng nào trong túi, trong khi những anh bạn thì vẫn đang tận hưởng một quãng thời gian vui vẻ và thú vị Thật tiếc khi phải đánh đổi những khoảnh khắc đáng nhớ này để đối mặt với tình trạng tài chính eo hẹp sau kỳ nghỉ.
- He wants a regular income but does not want to work He can not have his cake and eat it!
(Anh ta muốn có một thu nhập đều đặn nh-ng không muốn làm việc Anh ta không thể đ-ợc cái này mà không làm cái kia)
He/ she won’t e at you: used to encourage or foster
- Come on, Emma, Father christmas won’t eat you! If you go closer, he will give you a present!
(Mạnh dạn lên nào, Emma, ông già Nôen không ăn thịt cháu đâu mà sợ! Nếu cháu đến gần ông, ông sẽ cho quà!)
2.3 Proverbs containing the verb “to eat” in English and their Vietnamese equivalents
Eating is often viewed as a simple daily necessity, but in reality, it reflects a person’s manners and virtues The proverb "Eat to live, not live to eat" emphasizes the importance of mindful eating and condemns those who are careless or greedy at the table Our cultural sayings highlight that the way we eat reveals our character and social etiquette Below are some English proverbs containing the verb "to eat" and their Vietnamese equivalents, illustrating how deeply the act of eating is connected to moral values and social norms.
Eat at pleasure, drink with measure
(It means “Don’t force someone to do something without exceeding their abilities”)
Its Vietnamese equivalent: Tửu bất khả ép
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die
(It means “to encourage someone to enjoy the life while they are alive, should not think to the future ”)
Its Vietnamese equivalent: Khi vui, vui lấy kẻo già Cơn men dốc cả giang hà ch-a say
Eaten bread is soon forgotten
(It means “Human beings are usually quickly ungrateful”) Its Vietnamese equivalent: Ăn cháo, đá bát
Eating and scratching want but a beginning
(It means “The greedy is always only to think about food) Its Vietnamese equivalent: Ăn cỗ đi tr-ớc, lội n-ớc theo sau
(It means “Profit stimulates human being’s desire”) Its Vietnamese equivalent: Thấy bở cứ đào mãi
Fools make feast and wise men eat them
(It means “The fools are usually easily cheated) Its Vietnamese equivalent: Cốc mò, cò xơi
He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut
Or: He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree
(It means “Only work help human being’s life become better)
In order to convey the proverbs, we have equivalents in Vietnamese such as:
- Muốn ăn thì lăn vào bếp
- Muốn ăn hét phải đào giun
The cat would eat fish but is loth wet her feet
(It means “The lazybones is still lazy forever) This proverb is equal to “Ngồi mát lại đòi ăn bát vàng” in Vietnamese
The proof of the pudding is in eating
(It means “In misfortune we just know how everyone lives”) This proverb is equal to “Lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức” in Vietnamese
Dog does not eat dog
(It means “Fellow-creature never harm each other”) This proverb is equal to “Hùm dữ không ăn thịt con” in Vietnamese
(This proverb is completely opposite with the above one It means “Fellow- creature also can harm each other”)
This proverb is equal to “Nồi da nấu thịt” in Vietnamese
This chapter explores various shades of meaning and synonyms of the verb “to eat,” enhancing understanding of its usage It also introduces common idioms and proverbs containing “to eat” in English, along with their Vietnamese equivalents, to help readers grasp their cultural context By providing practical examples of idioms, the chapter aims to improve comprehension and mastery of their meanings Additionally, Vietnamese equivalents of English proverbs are included to clarify the cultural and linguistic significance of these expressions.
Some suggestions for teaching and
and learning the verb “to eat”
Each language possesses unique rules and characteristics, and English and Vietnamese are notably different, making mistakes in the learning process unavoidable To help Vietnamese learners overcome common errors, it is essential to identify these mistakes and implement effective strategies for correction These measures will support learners in improving their language skills and achieving greater proficiency.
Vietnamese learners often face interference from their mother tongue when learning English, primarily due to Vietnamese grammar, which influences how they translate sentences into English This leads to common mistakes as learners tend to rely on their native language habits to structure English sentences Additionally, errors frequently occur due to carelessness or lack of attention, even when learners are aware of grammatical rules, highlighting the importance of focused language practice.
Vietnamese learners often directly translate the verb “ăn” as “eat” when converting Vietnamese sentences into English However, they tend to overlook the specific meaning, context, and appropriate usage of the verb This issue arises from a mechanical, word-by-word translation approach that neglects the nuances of language in real-life situations.
When translating the sentence “Gia đình tôi thường ăn sáng vào lúc 6.30” into English, many students mistakenly use the verb “eat” to convey the meaning of “ăn,” whereas the more appropriate choice is “have,” which better captures the act of having breakfast.
My family often eats breakfast at 6.30 o’clock
Meanwhile, English people use as follow:
My family often has breakfast at 6.30 o’clock
Thus, we should remember that English people say: “have breakfast”,
“have lunch” and “have dinner”, but not “eat breakfast”, “eat lunch’ and “eat dinner”
Vietnamese learners studying English often struggle with concord errors due to the linguistic differences between the two languages English's inflectional nature requires careful attention to tense, mood, number, and gender, which are not as prominent in Vietnamese As a result, beginners find these concepts unfamiliar and often become confused, leading to frequent mistakes in verb forms such as "eat."
- Hoa th-ờng ăn bánh mỳ vào mỗi buổi sáng
- Hoa often eat / eats bread every morning
- Hoa đang ăn bánh mỳ với bạn của cô ấy
- Hoa eat / is eating bread with her friend
- Sáng nay Hoa đã ăn bánh mỳ với bơ - Hoa eat / ate bread with butter this morning
3.2 Some ways to eliminate the mistakes
Identifying mistakes in language learning can be challenging, and correcting them often proves even more difficult Many common errors made by Vietnamese learners stem from interference from their mother tongue, highlighting the importance of minimizing mother tongue influence during the learning process To improve English proficiency, especially with verbs like “to eat,” learners should focus on practicing their target language without over-relying on their native language Implementing effective strategies and following expert advice can significantly enhance the mastery of both basic and complex verbs, leading to more accurate and confident language use.
- Master the basic forms of verb “to eat” and its synonyms so that we can translate well in all contexts
- Try to find out the mistakes as well as the reasons for these mistakes After that, try to correct them to limit or avoid making mistakes later
- Do exercises and practise regularly with friends, teachers to have a comprehensive understanding of this verb as well as its synonyms
As both English students and future teachers, we are deeply concerned with common errors related to the verb “to eat.” To help Vietnamese learners avoid these mistakes, teachers should clearly explain the correct usage and meaning of “to eat.” Providing clear guidance and practical examples will enhance students’ understanding and ensure accurate application of the verb in various contexts.
Firstly, we should write the forms of the verb “to eat” on the board and then give simple examples as many as possible
Secondly, we write some popular synonyms of the verb “to eat” on the board, explain their senses as well as usages and give simple examples as many as possible
We can include idioms and proverbs featuring the verb "to eat" along with their meanings to enrich learners' vocabulary Additionally, it is effective to ask students to create sentences using different forms of the verb "to eat." After they compose their sentences, students should identify and define the tense used, which helps reinforce their understanding without relying on examples on the board.
Finally, we get learners to make the sentences as they can
3.2.3 Suggested types of exercises for teaching and learning the verb
Type I Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form
1 You mustn’t (eat) ……… food in the classroom
2 Don and Tony are at a restaurant at present They (eat)
3 Trang had a big breakfast this morning She (eat)
……… a loaf of bread and three eggs
4 I like (eat) ……… oranges, but I hate peeling them
5 Sue was not hungry, so she (not eat) ……… anything
6 Nhung is very hungry now because she (not eat) ……… enough this morning She only (eat) ……… a small piece of bread and drank a glass of milk
7 Vegetarians (not eat) ……… meat or fish
8 It is difficult to get used to (eat) ……… with chopsticks
Type II Choose the best answer for each of the following sentences
1 You will be ill if you so much
A will eat B are eating C eat D ate
A hasn’t eaten B haven’t eated C haven’t eaten D don’t eat
3 I rarely eat ice-cream now but I _ it when I was a child
A eat B used to eat C would eat D didn’t use to eat
4 If you less, you would not be healthy enough
A ate B eat C have eaten D has eaten
A eat B ate C having eaten D eating
6 I rarely out because everything is too expensive
Type III Put the words in order to make meaningful sentences
1 Means/ avariety of/ without/ anyhting/ eating/ balanced diet/ you/ much/ foods/ of/ eat/ too
2 Eat/ enjoy/ you/ should/ you/ much/ can/ the food/ but/ too/ have/not
3 Drink/ did/ you/ yesterday/ eat/ what/ and?
4 Do/ you/ often/ what/ eat/ breakfast/ for?
5 He/ very/ ate/ was/ like a horse/ so/ ,/ Paul/ hungry
6 Friends/ eating/ are/ with/ common/ the/ and/ talking/ ways/ most/ relaxing/ of/ at/ many/ in/ recess/ coutries
Type IV Match a word in A with its definition or meaning in B
1 to fast a to eat steadily with a marked action of the jaw
2 to scoff b to eat quickly, noisily and greedily
3 to nibble c to eat too much
4 to diet d to eat eagerly and fast
5 to gobble e to eat voraciously
6 to munch f to eat small amounts
7 to overeat g to eat less in order to lose weight
8 to devour h to stop eating for religious reasons
1 Để có sức khỏe chúng ta phải rửa tay tr-ớc khi ăn và uống n-ớc đun sôi
2 Nếu bạn muốn giảm cân thì bạn không nên ăn quá nhiều kẹo
3 Đó là một chiếc bánh cứng đến nỗi tôi không thể ăn đ-ợc
4 Tr-ớc đây John ch-a bao giờ dùng đũa để ăn
5 Bác sĩ khuyên chúng ta nên ăn nhiều rau và hoa quả hơn
Type VI Translate into Vietnamese
1 You had not better eat too many candies because they are not good for your teeth
2 It seems healthy to eat a lot of fruit
3 That restaurant is so dirty that no one wants to eat there
4 Workers eat lunch at the company cafeteria at least twice a week
5 Eating healthy food is good for us
This chapter highlights common mistakes learners make when using verbs in sentences and offers strategies to help improve language proficiency It provides targeted suggestions for teaching the verb "to eat" specifically, along with practical exercise ideas to enhance understanding of both this verb and general verbs These insights aim to eliminate errors and support effective learning in verb usage.
Conclusion
This article provides an overview of the English verb “to eat” and its Vietnamese equivalents, serving as an engaging and practical resource for learners interested in English verbs and their synonyms While focusing on the verb “to eat,” it highlights its significance within the broader context of English grammar This study aims to help readers understand various verbs and verb phrases related to “eating,” enhancing their language skills and comprehension of verb usage.
“eating” in English However, the restriction of documents, knowlegde, and times are the reasons why mistakes are unavoidable
We would be very grateful to receive all your attention as well as comments, remarks and advices to make this thesis more perfect
This graduation paper provides an initial exploration of the verb "to eat," focusing on its meaning and synonyms While it cannot cover all aspects related to the verb, it lays the groundwork for future research Subsequent studies can expand on topics such as alternative expressions, cultural variations, and contextual usages of "to eat" to deepen understanding of this fundamental verb.
- A study of hidden lessons through proverbs containing the verb “to eat” both in English and Vietnamese
- A study on culture of eating between two countries England and Vietnam
- A contrastive analysis on English and Vietnamese idioms referring to eating
- A contrastive analysis on the verbs denoting “eating” in English and Vietnamese
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