Definition

1. Verb:
   • To pick a quarrel / to provoke: The primary meaning of "cà khịa" is to intentionally provoke or start an argument with someone, often by making irritating or contentious remarks.
   • To meddle / to interfere: It can also mean to unnecessarily interfere in or comment on someone else's private affairs or business.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta thích cà khịa với đồng nghiệp. (He likes to pick quarrels with his colleagues.)
  • Đừng cà khịa vào chuyện gia đình người khác. (Don't meddle in other people's family matters.)
  • Tính nó hay cà khịa. (He has a tendency to be provocative.)

Advanced Usage

• "cà khịa" (in modern, informal contexts): In contemporary Vietnamese, especially online, "cà khịa" can carry a lighter, more humorous tone. It refers to making sarcastic, teasing, or trolling comments intended to provoke a reaction, not necessarily to start a serious fight.
  • Anh ấy không giận đâu, chỉ đang cà khịa cho vui thôi. (He's not angry; he's just trolling for fun.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gây sự (v): to pick a fight, to start trouble. This is a more direct synonym for the quarrelsome aspect of "cà khịa".
• Chọc tức (v): to tease, to annoy. This focuses on the provoking aspect.
• Xía vào (v): to butt in, to interfere. This relates to the meddling aspect.

Synonyms

• Provoke: to stimulate or incite someone to feel or react, especially angrily.
• Needle: to annoy or provoke someone by continual criticism or teasing.
• Meddle: to interfere in something that is not one's concern.

Related Idioms

• While "cà khịa" itself is commonly used as a standalone verb, it is often described with adjectives like "tính hay cà khịa" (a quarrelsome/provocative nature).

verb

1. To pick a quarrel
   • tính hay cà khịa
     to like to pick a quarrel
   • cà khịa với mọi người
     to pick a quarrel with everyone