Definition

Verb: - To pick a quarrel: To deliberately provoke or start an argument, dispute, or fight with someone. It implies initiating conflict without a justifiable reason, often over a minor issue.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta đến quán bar chỉ để gây sự. (He came to the bar just to pick a quarrel.)
  • Đừng gây sự với hàng xóm nữa. (Don't pick a quarrel with the neighbor anymore.)
  • Hắn gây sự với tôi chỉ vì một lời nói đùa. (He picked a quarrel with me over just a joking remark.)

Advanced Usage

• The action of gây sự often involves verbal provocation intended to lead to a physical or verbal confrontation. It carries a strong negative connotation of being the instigator of trouble.

Variants and Related Words

• Gây chuyện (v): To cause trouble, to stir up trouble. This is a close synonym, often used interchangeably with gây sự.
  • Đứa trẻ hay gây chuyện trong lớp. (The child often causes trouble in class.)
• Gây hấn (v): To show aggression, to act aggressively. This can be a precursor to or a component of gây sự.
  • Đội đối thủ đang có hành động gây hấn. (The opposing team is showing aggressive behavior.)

Synonyms

• Pick a fight: To deliberately try to start a physical fight.
• Start an argument: To begin a verbal dispute.
• Provoke: To stimulate or incite someone to react, often angrily.
• Stir up trouble: To cause problems or discord.

Related Idioms

• Gây sự chẳng đặng đừng: To pick a quarrel out of apparent necessity or compulsion (though still seen as provocative). This idiom nuances the action, sometimes suggesting a perceived, though often flawed, justification.
  • Hắn gây sự chẳng đặng đừng để bảo vệ danh dự. (He picked a quarrel, as if left with no choice, to protect his honor.)

verb

1. to pick a guarrel