Definition

Verb: - To be perceptive / to understand someone's unspoken intention: To correctly guess or intuitively understand what another person wants, intends, or is thinking without them having to say it explicitly. It implies social awareness and attentiveness.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy rất biết ý, luôn đưa tôi cốc nước khi thấy tôi khát. (She is very perceptive, always handing me a glass of water when she sees I'm thirsty.)
  • Tôi biết ý anh ta muốn tôi rời đi. (I understood his intention that he wanted me to leave.)
  • Nhân viên phục vụ biết ý lấy thêm cho chúng tôi vài đôi đũa. (The waiter, understanding what we needed, brought us a few more pairs of chopsticks.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often describes a desirable social skill. Being "biết ý" is seen as tactful, considerate, and smart in interpersonal interactions.
• It can be used in both positive contexts (showing helpfulness) and negative contexts (understanding a hidden, often negative, intention).

Variants and Related Words

• Ý tứ (n): tact, discretion, sense of propriety. A person who is "biết ý" often has "ý tứ."
• Khéo léo (adj): skillful, tactful. Similar in describing social deftness.
• Thông minh (adj): intelligent. Can be used in a similar social context.

Synonyms

• To be tactful: Having or showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others.
• To catch the hint: To understand an indirect suggestion.
• To read someone's mind: To guess what someone is thinking.

Related Idioms

• Biết điều: To be reasonable, to know what's proper. This is closely related and often used alongside "biết ý." A person who is "biết ý" is usually also "biết điều."
  • Nó là đứa biết điều, không bao giờ làm phiền khi bố mẹ đang bận. (He is a reasonable child, never bothering his parents when they are busy.)

verb

1. To guess someone's intentions