Definition

1. Verb:
   • To prick up (one's ears), to perk up (one's ears): To raise one's ears attentively to listen carefully, often used literally for animals or figuratively for humans to indicate sudden, keen attention.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con chó giảnh tai lên khi nghe thấy tiếng động lạ. (The dog pricked up its ears when it heard a strange noise.)
  • Cậu bé giảnh tai nghe câu chuyện của người lớn. (The boy perked up his ears to listen to the adults' conversation.)

Advanced Usage

• "giảnh tai mà nghe": An imperative phrase meaning "Listen up!" or "Prick up your ears and listen!", used to command someone to pay close attention.
  • Giảnh tai mà nghe lời tôi nói đây. (Prick up your ears and listen to what I'm saying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vểnh (tai): (verb) A near-synonym meaning to cock or perk up (ears). It is often used interchangeably with "giảnh" in the context of animals.
  • Con mèo vểnh tai nghe ngóng. (The cat cocked its ears to listen.)

Synonyms

• Chú ý: (verb) To pay attention. While "chú ý" is a general term for attention, "giảnh" specifically implies the physical or metaphorical act of raising ears to listen.
• Lắng nghe: (verb) To listen attentively. This focuses on the act of listening, whereas "giảnh" emphasizes the initial alert posture.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "giảnh" is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "giảnh tai". It is rarely, if ever, used as a standalone verb without "tai" (ears). Its primary meaning is the attentive raising of ears.
• While the literal meaning applies to animals, its figurative use for humans is common and vivid, suggesting a sudden, eager focus on a sound or piece of information.

1. Prick up (one's ears)
   • Giảnh tai
     To pick up oone's ears