Definition

1. Adverb (Phó từ):
   • To be poised/ready to, to be on the verge of, to be about to (do something, often negative or impulsive): Describes a state of being ready and waiting for the slightest opportunity or trigger to perform an action, typically a sudden, rash, or undesirable one. It implies eagerness and a lack of restraint.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Nó chỉ chực khóc khi bị mẹ mắng. (He was on the verge of crying when his mother scolded him.)
  • Đứa trẻ nghịch ngợm chỉ chực phá hỏng mọi thứ. (The mischievous child was poised to break everything.)
  • Anh ta chỉ chực tranh cãi với bất kỳ ai không đồng ý với mình. (He was ready to argue with anyone who disagreed with him.)

Advanced Usage

• "chỉ chực... là...": This structure emphasizes the immediacy of the action following the trigger. It can be translated as "to be just waiting for... to...".
  • Nó chỉ chực tôi quay lưng là lấy trộm đồ ngay. (He was just waiting for me to turn my back to steal the stuff immediately.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chực (verb): To wait (often with an intention, sometimes impatiently or for an opportunity).
  • Nó ngồi chực ở cửa từ sáng. (He sat waiting at the door since morning.)
• Sẵn sàng (adjective): Ready, prepared. (This is a more general and neutral term, while often carries a negative connotation of impulsive readiness).

Synonyms

• Sắp sửa: To be about to (more neutral, indicates simple immediacy).
• Hăm hở: Eagerly, enthusiastically (can be positive or negative, focuses on eagerness rather than the "poised" state).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Chực chờ: To wait expectantly, to lie in wait. This phrase shares the core meaning of waiting for an opportunity and is often used interchangeably with .
  • Kẻ trộm chực chờ lúc vắng người để đột nhập. (The thief lay in wait for when people were away to break in.)