háy
Verb: * To look askance at; to look black at someone: To glance sideways or obliquely at someone, often to express suspicion, disapproval, annoyance, or a secretive communication without turning one's head fully.
The verb háy describes a specific, quick eye movement. It is used when someone shifts their eyes to the side to look at something or someone, typically while keeping their face oriented forward. This action often conveys a hidden meaning, such as giving a secret signal, expressing silent criticism, or showing distrust.
- Cô ấy háy mắt ra hiệu cho tôi im lặng. (She to signal me to be quiet.)
- Anh ta chỉ háy mắt nhìn về phía cửa, bảo tôi có người lạ. (He just towards the door, telling me there was a stranger.)
- Đừng háy mắt như thế, trông không tôn trọng chút nào. (Don't (with a sidelong glance), it looks very disrespectful.)
- "háy mắt": This is the most common collocation, literally meaning "to glance with the eye." The action is inherently quick and subtle.
- Một cái háy mắt nhanh cũng đủ để tôi hiểu ý cô ấy. (A quick sidelong glance was enough for me to understand her intention.)
- Liếc (verb): To glance, to look quickly. This is a more common and general synonym for a quick look, which can be sideways (háy) or in any direction.
- Nháy (verb): To wink. This involves closing one eye briefly, which is a different action from háy, though both can be used for signaling.
- To glance sideways: To look briefly to the side.
- To look obliquely: To look at an angle, not directly.
- To shoot a sidelong glance: To give a quick, often meaningful look from the corner of one's eye.
The reference definition "to look black at someone" is an older or more literary English idiom meaning to look at someone with anger or disapproval, which aligns with the negative connotation háy can sometimes carry. The primary meaning, however, is the physical action of a sidelong glance (to look askance at), which can then imply various emotions like suspicion, secrecy, or annoyance based on context.
- to look askance at; to look black at someone