Definition

1. Verb:
   • To elicit, to draw out (thoughts, feelings, confidences): "gạy" means to skillfully or subtly encourage someone to reveal their inner thoughts, feelings, or secrets. It implies a gentle probing or prompting to get someone to open up and speak candidly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy khéo léo gạy cô ấy kể về quá khứ. (He skillfully elicited her to talk about her past.)
  • Nhà tâm lý học gạy được sự thật từ đứa trẻ. (The psychologist drew out the truth from the child.)

Advanced Usage

• "gạy ý": to sound out someone's opinion or intention.
  • Tôi định gạy ý anh ta về kế hoạch này. (I intend to sound him out about this plan.)
• "gạy chuyện": to draw someone into a conversation, to get someone talking.
  • Bà ấy ngồi gạy chuyện với hàng xóm. (She sat there drawing her neighbor into conversation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gợi (verb): to evoke, to suggest, to hint. (Often used more broadly than "gạy").
• Khơi (verb): to dredge, to bring up (a topic, feelings). Can be used similarly in some contexts (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Elicit: to draw out (a response, information).
• Draw out: to encourage someone to be more talkative.
• Sound out: to try to discover someone's opinions or feelings indirectly.

Notes on Usage

• Register: The word "gạy" is considered somewhat literary or less common in modern everyday speech (). In many contexts, words like "gợi chuyện", "khơi chuyện", or phrases like "làm cho ai nói ra" are more frequently used.
• Connotation: The action is typically done with tact, patience, and subtlety, not through direct or forceful questioning.

1. (ít dùng) call forth (someone's ideas, confidences)