Definition

1. Noun:

   • Thread, yarn: A long, thin strand of spun fiber, used for sewing, embroidery, or weaving.
   • Weft: The horizontal threads interlaced through the warp (lengthwise threads) on a loom.
   • Royal decree, royal ordinance: An official written order or command issued by a king or emperor (archaic).
   • Unit of weight: A traditional unit of weight for precious metals, especially gold, equivalent to one-tenth of a tael.

2. Verb:

   • To point, to indicate: To direct someone's attention to something by extending a finger or an object towards it.
   • To show, to guide: To lead the way or demonstrate how to do something.
   • To denote, to signify: To be a sign of; to refer to or mean something specific.

3. Adverb:

   • Only, merely, just: A word used to limit the scope of a statement, indicating exclusivity or a small quantity.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Cô ấy dùng chỉ đỏ để thêu hoa. (She used red thread to embroider the flower.)
  • Chiếc vải này có canh tơ chỉ vải. (This fabric has a silk warp and a cotton weft.)
  • Nhà vua ban hành một sắc chỉ. (The king issued a royal decree.)
  • Mua một chỉ vàng. (Buy one tael (unit) of gold.)

• Verb:

  • Anh ấy chỉ tay về phía ngọn núi. (He pointed his finger towards the mountain.)
  • Xin chỉ cho tôi đường đến bưu điện. (Please show me the way to the post office.)
  • Lời nói đó chỉ một người cụ thể. (That statement refers to a specific person.)

• Adverb:

  • Tôi chỉ muốn giúp đỡ mà thôi. (I only want to help.)
  • Cô ấy chỉ có hai quyển sách. (She has only two books.)
  • Họ chỉ là bạn bè. (They are just friends.)

Advanced Usage

• "chỉ mặt đặt tên": To point at someone and call their name; to identify and accuse someone publicly.

  • Bài báo chỉ mặt đặt tên những kẻ tham nhũng. (The newspaper article publicly named and shamed the corrupt individuals.)

• "chỉ đường cho hươu chạy": Literally "to show the deer the path"; to give advice or aid to a cunning or dishonest person, often leading to negative consequences.

  • Cho hắn biết mật khẩu chẳng khác nào chỉ đường cho hươu chạy. (Giving him the password is like showing a thief the way.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chỉ dẫn (v/n): To instruct, to guide; guidance, instructions.

  • Nhờ có chỉ dẫn tận tình, tôi đã hoàn thành công việc. (Thanks to the detailed guidance, I completed the task.)

• Chỉ định (v): To designate, to appoint.

  • Giám đốc chỉ định cô ấy làm trưởng nhóm. (The director appointed her as team leader.)

• Chỉ trích (v): To criticize.

  • Bài báo chỉ trích chính sách mới. (The article criticized the new policy.)

Synonyms

• Noun (thread): yarn, filament.
• Verb (to point): to indicate, to direct.
• Adverb (only): solely, merely, exclusively, just.

Related Idioms

• Chỉ tay năm ngón: Literally "to point with all five fingers"; to order people around without doing any work oneself.

  • Ông chủ đó suốt ngày chỉ tay năm ngón. (That boss is always barking orders.)

• Vạch mặt chỉ tên: To expose and denounce someone by name.

  • Cộng đồng đã vạch mặt chỉ tên kẻ lừa đảo. (The community publicly exposed the scammer.)

noun

1. Thread, yarn
   • xe chỉ luồn kim
     to spin thread and thread a needle
   • mỏng manh như sợi chỉ
     frail as a thread
2. Royal decree, royal ordinance
3. Weft
   • canh tơ chỉ vải
     silk warp and cotton weft
   • gạch chỉ
     an oblong brick (for building walls)
   • sợi chỉ đỏ
     fabric