gãi

Thân thiện

Một cậu bé gãi lưng cho chú chó của mình.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To scratch: To rub or scrape a part of the body, typically with the fingernails or a small object, to relieve itching or irritation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con mèo gãi vào cột. (The cat scratches the post.)
  • Đừng gãi vết muỗi đốt. (Don't scratch the mosquito bite.)
  • Anh ấy gãi đầu vì suy nghĩ. (He scratches his head while thinking.)

Advanced Usage

• "gãi đầu gãi tai": Literally "to scratch one's head and ears." This phrase describes the physical action of scratching one's head, often used figuratively to depict someone being in deep thought, feeling perplexed, embarrassed, or showing excessive, perhaps insincere, deference.
  • Nghe câu hỏi đó, anh ấy chỉ biết gãi đầu gãi tai. (Hearing that question, he could only scratch his head [in perplexity].)

Variants and Related Words

• Cào (v): to scratch, often with more force or causing a mark, like an animal clawing.

  • Con chó cào vào cửa. (The dog scratches at the door.)

• Gãi ngứa (v): to scratch an itch.

  • Em bé khóc vì không tự gãi ngứa được. (The baby cries because it can't scratch its itch.)

Synonyms

• Scratch: To scrape or rub to relieve itching.
• Itch: To have or cause a tingling sensation that makes one want to scratch (related concept).

Related Idioms

• Gãi đúng chỗ ngứa: Literally "to scratch the right itchy spot." It means to do or say exactly what someone wants or needs, to hit the nail on the head, or to satisfy a precise desire.
  • Lời khen của cô ấy gãi đúng chỗ ngứa. (Her compliment scratched the right itch [was exactly what he wanted to hear].)

Học thuật

verb

1. to scratch
   • gãi đầu gãi tai
     to scratch one's head