Bedeutung
You are influenced by your environment.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The proverb highlights the traditional Vietnamese respect for 'đèn sách' (lamps and books), symbolizing the arduous but noble path of the scholar. The idea that humans are born good but corrupted by environment is a core Confucian tenet (Nhân chi sơ, tính bản thiện). This proverb is a folk expression of that philosophy. In Vietnam, your 'bạn bè' (friends) are seen as an extension of your family. If a friend does something bad, it reflects poorly on you, and vice-versa. Today, this proverb is often cited when families move to 'Khu đô thị cao cấp' (high-end urban areas) to ensure their children are surrounded by 'civilized' neighbors.
Use the first half for warnings
If you just want to warn someone about a bad influence, you can just say 'Gần mực thì đen đấy!'
Respect the elders
When an older person uses this with you, they are showing care. Even if you disagree, acknowledge the wisdom of the proverb.
Bedeutung
You are influenced by your environment.
Use the first half for warnings
If you just want to warn someone about a bad influence, you can just say 'Gần mực thì đen đấy!'
Respect the elders
When an older person uses this with you, they are showing care. Even if you disagree, acknowledge the wisdom of the proverb.
Perfect for Essays
Use this in the opening or closing of a Vietnamese writing task about education or society to impress the examiner.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb by filling in the missing words.
Gần mực thì ______, gần đèn thì ______.
The standard form of the proverb uses 'đen' (black) and 'rạng' (bright).
Which part of the proverb best fits this situation: 'Nam started studying hard after joining a group of top students.'
Nam started studying hard after joining a group of top students.
The positive influence of the top students is like the light of a lamp ('gần đèn thì rạng').
What is the main message of this proverb?
What is the main message of 'Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì rạng'?
The proverb is a metaphor for the influence of one's social circle and environment.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate proverb.
A: 'Tôi lo quá, con trai tôi dạo này hay đi chơi với nhóm bạn lười học.' B: 'Chị nên khuyên cháu cẩn thận, vì ______.'
The context of worrying about bad influences makes 'Gần mực thì đen...' the perfect fit.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
The Two Paths of Influence
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenGần mực thì ______, gần đèn thì ______.
The standard form of the proverb uses 'đen' (black) and 'rạng' (bright).
Nam started studying hard after joining a group of top students.
The positive influence of the top students is like the light of a lamp ('gần đèn thì rạng').
What is the main message of 'Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì rạng'?
The proverb is a metaphor for the influence of one's social circle and environment.
A: 'Tôi lo quá, con trai tôi dạo này hay đi chơi với nhóm bạn lười học.' B: 'Chị nên khuyên cháu cẩn thận, vì ______.'
The context of worrying about bad influences makes 'Gần mực thì đen...' the perfect fit.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, though often in a slightly more humorous or self-aware way. It remains a standard part of the Vietnamese vocabulary.
In casual speech, yes, but it loses its traditional 'proverbial' feel. Stick to 'rạng' for the full effect.
You don't call a person 'mực' directly. You say the *situation* is like being near ink. Calling a person 'mực' would be confusing.
Usually, it's applied to friends or colleagues. Family influence is usually described with other phrases like 'Giỏ nhà ai quai nhà nấy'.
The closest is 'You are the company you keep' or 'Bad company corrupts good character.'
While not strictly religious, it aligns with Buddhist and Confucian ideas about the importance of the 'Sangha' or virtuous community.
Yes, especially when discussing partnerships or team building. It sounds very professional and wise.
They represent the two most common tools of ancient students that could physically change their appearance (stains) or their ability to see (light).
Yes, it's a very common way to express 'If you are near X, then Y happens.'
Not a direct one, but young people might say 'Chọn bạn mà chơi' more often than the full proverb.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Ở bầu thì tròn, ở ống thì dài
similarIn a gourd you are round, in a tube you are long.
Chọn bạn mà chơi
builds onChoose your friends to play with.
Ngưu tầm ngưu, mã tầm mã
similarOxen seek oxen, horses seek horses.
Gần lửa rát mặt
contrastNear fire, your face gets burned.
