Definition

1. Verb:
   • To follow closely / to track: To observe or monitor someone or something attentively and continuously over time, often with focus and intent.
   • To keep up with / to keep track of: To maintain awareness of the developments, progress, or situation of a person, event, or story.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cảnh sát dõi theo nghi phạm. (The police are tracking the suspect.)
  • Tôi luôn dõi theo tin tức về biến đổi khí hậu. (I always follow the news on climate change.)
  • Bà mẹ âu yếm dõi theo từng bước chân của đứa con nhỏ. (The mother lovingly watches her young child's every step.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb often implies a sustained, purposeful, and sometimes concerned or caring attention. It is more active and engaged than simply "nhìn" (to look).
• It is commonly used with abstract objects like progress, situations, or careers.
  • Anh ấy dõi theo sự nghiệp của nhà văn đó từ những ngày đầu. (He has followed that writer's career from the early days.)

Variants and Related Words

• Theo dõi (v): This is a more common, near-identical synonym meaning to follow, monitor, or keep track of. The word order is reversed.
  • Bác sĩ đang theo dõi tình trạng của bệnh nhân. (The doctor is monitoring the patient's condition.)

Synonyms

• To follow: To go or come after; to observe or monitor.
• To monitor: To watch and check over a period of time.
• To track: To follow the course or trail of.
• To watch over: To observe protectively or carefully.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Dõi theo từng bước: To follow/watch every single step, indicating extremely close attention.
  • Người hâm mộ dõi theo từng bước của thần tượng. (Fans follow their idol's every move.)
• Dõi theo bóng hình ai đó: To follow someone's figure/shadow with one's eyes, often with nostalgia or longing.
  • Cô ấy đứng dõi theo bóng hình anh cho đến khi khuất dạng. (She stood watching his figure until it disappeared from sight.)