chỉ chực
Definition
- 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.)