Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To play cards: To participate in a game using a deck of playing cards, such as poker, bridge, or blackjack.
   • (Vulgar, figurative) To scheme, to find a way: To seek a method or trick to achieve something, often in a cunning or deceptive manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cuối tuần, họ thường tụ tập để đánh bài. (On weekends, they often gather to play cards.)
  • Không nên đánh bài ăn tiền. (You shouldn't play cards for money.)
  • (Figurative) Hắn ta đang đánh bài gì vậy? (What scheme is he trying to pull?)

Advanced Usage

• "đánh bài gian": To cheat at cards; to manipulate a card game dishonestly.
  • Nó bị phát hiện đánh bài gian và bị đuổi khỏi bàn. (He was caught cheating at cards and was kicked off the table.)
  • This phrase can also be used figuratively to mean acting in a deceitful or underhanded way in any situation.

Variants and Related Words

• Bài (n): Cards; can also refer to a lesson, a test, or a role.
• Bài bạc (n): Gambling (often involving card games).
• Chơi bài: A more neutral synonym for "to play cards."
• Sòng bài (n): Casino; gambling den.

Synonyms

• Chơi bài: To play cards (neutral).
• Cờ bạc (n/v): Gambling (broader term, often with negative connotation).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đánh bài ngửa: (Lit: to play cards face-up). To act openly and honestly; to show one's hand/cards.
  • Trong đàm phán, đôi khi tốt hơn là nên đánh bài ngửa. (In negotiations, it's sometimes better to be open and honest.)
• Đánh bài chuồn: (Lit: to play the "chuồn" card, a suit in Vietnamese cards). To escape, to slip away (from a situation).
  • Thấy tình hình không ổn, nó đánh bài chuồn ngay. (Seeing the situation was bad, he slipped away immediately.)

Related Idioms

• Đánh bài trúng số: (Lit: to play cards and win the lottery). To have an unexpected, huge piece of luck.
  • Mua được mảnh đất đó giá rẻ như đánh bài trúng số vậy. (Buying that land so cheaply was like hitting the jackpot.)
• Lật bài ngửa: (Lit: to turn the cards face-up). To reveal the truth, to disclose one's true intentions or situation.
  • Đã đến lúc phải lật bài ngửa với đối tác. (It's time to show our cards to the partner.)

1. Play cards