Definition

1. Verb:
   • To click (one's tongue): To make a sharp, short sound with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, often to express an emotion or reaction.
   • To express scorn, regret, or pity: Often used to convey a negative judgment, disappointment, or a feeling of sympathy.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy chỉ chặc lưỡi, không nói gì. (He just clicked his tongue and said nothing.)
  • Nghe câu chuyện buồn, cô ấy chặc lưỡi thở dài. (Hearing the sad story, she clicked her tongue and sighed.)
  • Chị ấy chặc lưỡi chê món ăn không ngon. (She clicked her tongue scornfully, saying the food was not good.)

Advanced Usage

• "chặc lưỡi": This is the most common and almost fixed phrase. It means "to click one's tongue" and is almost always used to describe the action along with the implied emotion (e.g., scorn, regret, pity, disapproval).
  • Thấy đứa trẻ nghịch ngợm, bà cụ chặc lưỡi lắc đầu. (Seeing the mischievous child, the old lady clicked her tongue and shook her head.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chép (verb): Also means to smack or click one's lips/tongue, often in anticipation of food or to express taste. "Chép miệng" is more common for this.
• Lắc đầu (verb phrase): To shake one's head. Often used in conjunction with "chặc lưỡi" to express strong disapproval or pity.

Synonyms

• Tặc lưỡi (verb): A less common synonym with the same meaning of clicking the tongue to express an emotion.

Related Phrases

• Chặc lưỡi chê bai: To click one's tongue scornfully; to express contempt or strong criticism through this action.
  • Anh ta đứng nhìn rồi chặc lưỡi chê bai công trình xây dựng. (He stood looking and then clicked his tongue scornfully at the construction work.)

verb

1. To click (one's tongue)
   • chặc lưỡi chê bai
     to click one's tongue scornfully