Definition

1. Transitive Verb:
   • To rub repeatedly; to scrub: The action of applying pressure and moving something back and forth against a surface multiple times, often to clean, polish, or cause friction.
   • To chafe; to abrade: To cause irritation or wear by repeated rubbing against a surface.

Usage Examples

• Transitive Verb:
  • Dùng bông tẩm cồn chà xát chỗ bị cào. (Use cotton wool soaked in alcohol to rub the scratched area repeatedly.)
  • Cô ấy chà xát hai tay vào nhau để giữ ấm. (She rubbed her hands together repeatedly to keep warm.)
  • Đừng chà xát mắt bằng tay bẩn. (Don't rub your eyes with dirty hands.)

Advanced Usage

• "chà xát mạnh": to scrub vigorously.
  • Phải chà xát mạnh mới tẩy được vết bẩn này. (You have to scrub vigorously to remove this stain.)
• Used to describe a mechanical or abrasive action in technical contexts.
  • Lực chà xát giữa hai bề mặt làm nóng chúng. (The friction force between the two surfaces heats them up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chà (verb): to rub, to scrub (often implies a single or more general rubbing action, less emphasis on repetition than "chà xát").
• Cọ xát (verb): to rub against; can also mean to have friction or conflict (physical or metaphorical).
• Xát (verb): to rub (often used in compounds; on its own, it can mean to rub salt or spices into something).

Synonyms

• Cọ (verb): to rub, to scrub.
• Kỳ cọ (verb): to scrub thoroughly (often for cleaning the body).
• Ma sát (verb/noun): to rub; friction (more technical/scientific).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Chà xát qua loa: to rub superficially, to give something a quick rub.
  • Anh ta chỉ chà xát qua loa chiếc nồi trước khi rửa. (He just gave the pot a quick rub before washing it.)

Related Idioms

• Chà xát tạo nhiệt: (Literal) Rubbing creates heat. This describes the basic principle of friction.
  • Như chà xát tạo nhiệt, sự va chạm ý kiến đôi khi sinh ra sáng tạo. (Just as rubbing creates heat, clashing opinions sometimes generate creativity.)

1. To rub time and again
   • dùng bông tẩm cồn chà xát chỗ bị cào
     to rub a scratch time and again with cotton-wool soaked with alcohol