Definition

Verb: - To counsel, to instruct, to guide: To give necessary advice, direction, or teaching, often from a person with more experience or knowledge to someone with less. It implies a respectful request for or offering of guidance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Xin các bậc tiền bối chỉ giáo. (I respectfully request the elders to counsel/instruct me.)
  • Ông ấy đã chỉ giáo cho tôi nhiều điều quý báu. (He counseled/instructed me on many valuable things.)
  • Tôi mong nhận được sự chỉ giáo của thầy. (I hope to receive my teacher's guidance.)

Advanced Usage

• "Xin chỉ giáo": A very common and polite phrase used to formally request advice or correction.

  • Bài viết còn nhiều thiếu sót, xin mọi người chỉ giáo. (This writing still has many shortcomings; I respectfully request everyone's counsel.)

• "Lời chỉ giáo": Refers to the words of counsel or guidance themselves.

  • Tôi luôn ghi nhớ những lời chỉ giáo của cha mẹ. (I always remember my parents' words of counsel.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chỉ bảo (verb): To instruct, to show how. Slightly less formal than "chỉ giáo".

  • Anh ấy chỉ bảo tôi cách sử dụng máy tính. (He showed me how to use the computer.)

• Chỉ dẫn (verb/noun): To guide, to direct / guidance, instructions. Often used for practical or directional guidance.

  • Xin vui lòng chỉ dẫn đường đến bưu điện. (Please give me directions to the post office.)

• Giáo huấn (verb/noun): To teach, to instruct (often moral lessons) / teaching, instruction. More formal and often implies moral or ethical teaching.

Synonyms

• Hướng dẫn: To guide, to instruct.
• Khuyên bảo: To advise, to counsel.
• Dạy bảo: To teach, to instruct.

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• Formality and Respect: "Chỉ giáo" carries a tone of formality and deep respect. It is typically used when addressing superiors, elders, teachers, or experts.
• Request vs. Action: It is most commonly used in the context of guidance ("xin chỉ giáo") or referring to guidance that has been . Using it to describe one's own action of guiding others ("Tôi chỉ giáo anh ấy") can sound presumptuous or overly formal unless the speaker is in a clearly superior position of authority or knowledge.
• Scope: The guidance often pertains to correcting mistakes, improving skills, or understanding principles, not just simple directions.

verb

1. To counsel
   • xin chỉ giáo cho những chỗ thiếu sót
     please counsel me about my shortcomings
   • những lời chỉ giáo chân tình
     wholehearted counsel