Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To polish; to burnish: To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it, often with a cloth or a special substance.
   • To apply makeup (archaic): To put on cosmetics, such as powder or rouge, to beautify the face. This usage is now considered old-fashioned.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to polish/burnish):
  • Anh ấy giồi chiếc cúp bóng đá cho sáng bóng. (He polished the football trophy until it was shiny.)
  • Người thợ giồi mặt bàn gỗ trước khi phủ sơn. (The craftsman burnished the wooden tabletop before applying varnish.)
• Verb (to apply makeup - archaic):
  • Trong thơ cổ, các thiếu nữ thường giồi phấn thoa son. (In ancient poetry, young maidens would often apply powder and rouge.)

Advanced Usage

• "giồi lên": to polish up, to burnish to a high shine.
  • Cô ấy giồi lên những chiếc thìa bạc cũ. (She polished up the old silver spoons.)
• This verb is often used with objects made of metal, wood, or leather that require a glossy finish. The cosmetic meaning is primarily found in classical literature or poetic contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Đánh bóng: (verb) A more common modern synonym for "to polish."
• Xi đánh bóng: (noun) Polish (the substance).
• Trang điểm: (verb) The standard modern word for "to apply makeup."
• Thoa: (verb) To apply or rub on (e.g., cream, lipstick). Often paired with "giồi" in the archaic phrase "giồi phấn thoa son."

Synonyms

• Nghĩa "to polish": , , .
• Nghĩa "to apply makeup" (archaic): , .

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Giồi giũa: This is a compound verb meaning "to polish and refine," often used metaphorically for skills, knowledge, or language (e.g., to hone one's skills, to polish one's writing).
  • Anh ấy dành nhiều năm để giồi giũa kỹ năng viết. (He spent many years honing his writing skills.)
  • Cô ấy giồi giũa vốn từ vựng tiếng Anh mỗi ngày. (She polishes her English vocabulary every day.)

Related Idioms

• Giồi phấn thoa son: An idiom from classical literature meaning "to apply powder and rouge," symbolizing the act of beautifying oneself or, metaphorically, to embellish or adorn something (like a story or speech).
  • Bài văn của cô ấy không cần giồi phấn thoa son, nó đẹp một cách tự nhiên. (Her writing doesn't need any embellishment; it's beautiful in its natural state.)

verb

1. to polish; to burnish