Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take notice of, to take into account, to pay attention to: "đếm xỉa" means to consider something as important or worthy of attention. It is most commonly used in negative constructions to indicate a lack of consideration or disregard.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta không đếm xỉa gì đến lời khuyên của tôi. (He doesn't take any notice of my advice at all.)
  • Công ty này không đếm xỉa đến sự an toàn của nhân viên. (This company does not take the safety of its employees into account.)
  • Họ chẳng đếm xỉa gì đến hậu quả. (They pay no attention whatsoever to the consequences.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Negative Constructions: The word "đếm xỉa" is almost exclusively used in negative sentences or rhetorical questions to express disregard. Common negative patterns include:
  • không đếm xỉa (gì) đến... (to not take any notice of...)
  • chẳng đếm xỉa (gì) đến... (to pay no attention to...)
  • đâu có đếm xỉa đến... (how could one possibly care about...)
• Formality: It carries a slightly formal or literary tone and conveys a strong sense of deliberate neglect or contempt for what is being ignored.

Variants and Related Words

• Đếm (verb): To count.
• Xỉa (verb): To pick (one's teeth). In "đếm xỉa", the original meanings are metaphorical, combining to imply a meticulous or careful consideration, which is then negated.
• Để ý (verb): To notice, to pay attention (more neutral and common in everyday speech).
• Quan tâm (verb): To care about, to be concerned with.

Synonyms

• Lưu tâm: To pay heed to, to mind.
• Cân nhắc: To consider, to deliberate (implies more active thought).
• Để tâm: To pay mind to, to take note of.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Không đếm xỉa: The standard negative phrase meaning "to not care about/to disregard".
  • Nó làm việc gì cũng không đếm xỉa đến ai. (He does whatever he wants without regard for anyone.)
• Mặc kệ: To ignore, to let be (more colloquial and blunt).
  • Cứ mặc kệ nó đi. (Just ignore him.)
• Bỏ ngoài tai: To turn a deaf ear to (idiomatic).
  • Cô ấy bỏ ngoài tai mọi lời đồn đại. (She turns a deaf ear to all the rumors.)

1. Take notice of, take into account, take account of
   • Không ai đếm xỉa đến dư luận
     No one can take no account (notice) of public opinion, no one can ignore public opinion