Definition

1. Verb:
   • To inquire persistently; to question repeatedly: The term "hỏi phăn" describes the action of asking questions multiple times, often in a probing or insistent manner, in order to obtain a clear answer, uncover details, or find a clue.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cảnh sát phải hỏi phăn nghi phạm để tìm ra sự thật. (The police had to question the suspect repeatedly to find the truth.)
  • Mẹ hỏi phăn con về chuyện xảy ra ở trường. (The mother kept asking her child about what happened at school.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contexts where the initial answers are unclear, evasive, or unsatisfactory, prompting a more thorough and persistent line of questioning.

Variants and Related Words

• Hỏi kỹ (v): to ask carefully, to inquire in detail.

  • Nhà báo hỏi kỹ về nguồn thông tin. (The journalist inquired carefully about the source of the information.)

• Tra hỏi (v): to interrogate, to question formally (often with more intensity).

  • Luật sư tra hỏi nhân chứng trước tòa. (The lawyer interrogated the witness in court.)

Synonyms

• To probe: to ask searching questions.
• To grill: to question intensely and persistently.
• To press for answers: to insist on getting a reply.

Related Idioms

• Hỏi cho ra ngô ra khoai: (Literally: to ask until the corn and potatoes are revealed) To question until a clear and satisfactory answer is obtained.
  • Phóng viên hỏi cho ra ngô ra khoai về vụ bê bối. (The reporter questioned until he got to the bottom of the scandal.)