yểm
[ʔiəm˧˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to use a talisman to exorcise a ghost or demon
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Lão thầy tào tuy ở vùng hoang sơ nhưng cũng có chút kiến thức, biết chuyện Đại Điên vừa bị Từ Đạo Hạnh yểm cho mất mạng, không thể đầu thai được ở kinh sư.Although the old village priest lived far from things, he did know some stuff, and he knew that Đại Điên had just been killed by exorcism by Từ Đạo Hạnh and could not reincarnate in the capital.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(verb) to hide
Examples
Khi lên các trại trung ương, mặc cái áo to rộng ấy, yểm thứ gì vào người cũng dễ.When you go to the central camps wearing that big and wide jacket, you can easily hide anything.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “yểm” mean?
(verb) to use a talisman to exorcise a ghost or demon
Is “yểm” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.