Definition

1. Noun (Archaic):

   • Left side: Refers specifically to the left side or what belongs to the left side, often used in contrast to "đăm" (right). This usage is now mostly found in idioms and proverbs.

2. Verb:

   • To wash down: To drink a small amount of liquid to help swallow something, like food or medicine.
   • To recruit / To rally: To call upon and gather people, especially talented individuals or soldiers, for a cause or service. This usage carries a formal or literary tone.
   • To confess / To admit: To reveal or declare something, typically a fault, crime, or secret. This usage is less common.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tay chiêu đập niêu không vỡ. (The left hand cannot break an earthen pot.)
• Verb (to wash down):
  • Cứ một viên thuốc lại chiêu một ngụm nước. (To wash down each tablet of medicine with a sip of water.)
• Verb (to recruit):
  • Nhà vua chiêu mộ người tài giỏi. (The king recruited talented people.)
• Verb (to confess):
  • Tên trộm đã chiêu ra toàn bộ tội lỗi. (The thief confessed all his crimes.)

Advanced Usage

• "chiêu binh": to recruit soldiers.
  • Vị tướng chiêu binh mãi mã để bảo vệ đất nước. (The general recruited soldiers to protect the country.)
• "chiêu đãi": to entertain (guests), to treat someone (to food/drink). This is a common compound word.
  • Ông chủ chiêu đãi nhân viên một bữa tối thịnh soạn. (The boss treated the employees to a lavish dinner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chiêu mộ (v): to recruit, to enlist (often for a specific purpose like an army or a project).
• Cô chiêu (n, archaic): a term for a young, unmarried noblewoman or lady.
• Đăm chiêu (phrase): a set phrase meaning "right and left," often used in poetry or idioms to imply "everywhere" or "both sides."

Synonyms

• Left (side): trái.
• To wash down: uống trôi.
• To recruit: tuyển mộ, tập hợp.
• To confess: thú nhận, khai ra.

Related Idioms

• Chân đăm đá chân chiêu: Literally "the right foot kicks the left foot," meaning to be in a state of internal conflict, hesitation, or to act against one's own interests.
• Tay chiêu đập niêu không vỡ: An idiom highlighting the perceived weakness or clumsiness of the left hand, implying something is not fit for a particular task.

noun

1. xem cô chiêu

verb

1. To wash down
   • cứ một viên thuốc lại chiêu một ngụm nước
     to wash down each tablet of medicine with a sip of water
2. To recruit

adj

1. Left
   • tay chiêu đập niêu không vỡ
     the left hand cannot break an earthen pot