chè lá

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "chè lá" has a few meanings and can be used in different contexts.

Basic Meaning:

1. Tea and Cigarettes: In one sense, "chè lá" refers to tea and cigarettes, indicating a casual or social gathering where people might enjoy these items together.

2. Bribe or Baksheesh: More commonly, "chè lá" is used to describe a bribe or a form of money given unofficially to gain favor or influence. This is often seen in contexts involving local authorities or bureaucratic processes.

Usage Instructions:

• When you encounter the term "chè lá" in conversation, pay attention to the context. If it's about a social event, it might refer to tea and cigarettes. However, if it relates to dealings with officials or authorities, it likely means a bribe.

Examples:

• Social Context: "Chúng ta hãy ngồi lại với một tách chè lá." (Let's sit down with a cup of tea and some cigarettes.)

• Bribery Context: "Người dân thường phải đưa tiền chè lá cho lý trưởng để giải quyết các vấn đề." (People often have to give bribes to the village headman to resolve issues.)

Advanced Usage:

In more formal discussions about ethics or governance, "chè lá" can represent the challenges of corruption in society. You might encounter discussions about the need to eliminate "chè lá" from public service.

Word Variants:

• Chè: This simply means "tea."
• Lá: This means "leaf," but in this context, it refers to the informal or casual nature of the items.

Different Meanings:

While "chè lá" primarily refers to tea and cigarettes or bribes, it can also imply any informal payment or gift given to facilitate a favor.

Synonyms:

• For tea and cigarettes: "trà và thuốc lá."
• For bribery: "hối lộ" (bribe), "tiền đặc biệt" (special money).

Conclusion:

Understanding "chè lá" requires a grasp of the context in which it is used.

Academic

1. Tea and cigarettes, baksheesh, bribe
   • tiền chè lá cho lý trưởng trước khi lên quan
     to give bribes to the village headman before going to the yamen