hỏi thăm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To ask after / to inquire after: To express concern and ask about someone's health, well-being, or general situation, often as a gesture of care or politeness.
- To ask for / to inquire about: To seek specific information or directions about something, such as a location, procedure, or fact.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Tôi gọi điện để hỏi thăm ông bà. (I called to ask after my grandparents.)
- Anh ấy hỏi thăm đường đến bưu điện. (He asked for directions to the post office.)
- Cô ấy hỏi thăm về sức khỏe của mẹ tôi. (She inquired after my mother's health.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a degree of courtesy and personal interest, especially when referring to people. It is more personal than the simple verb "hỏi" (to ask).
- "Hỏi thăm tin tức": to inquire for news.
- Họ hỏi thăm tin tức về người thân ở nước ngoài. (They inquired for news about their relative abroad.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thăm hỏi (v): This is a common variant with the same core meanings, often used interchangeably with "hỏi thăm." It emphasizes the act of visiting or checking in.
- Đoàn công tác đến thăm hỏi các gia đình chính sách. (The working delegation came to visit and inquire after the families of war veterans.)
Synonyms
- To inquire after: To ask about someone's state.
- To ask about: To seek information concerning something.
- To send one's regards: To convey expressions of concern or goodwill (a related concept).
Related Idioms
Hỏi thăm sức khỏe: A common collocation meaning specifically "to ask after someone's health."
- Bác sĩ hỏi thăm sức khỏe của bệnh nhân. (The doctor asked after the patient's health.)
Gửi lời hỏi thăm: To send one's regards or inquiries (often through a third party).
- Hãy gửi lời hỏi thăm của tôi đến gia đình cô ấy. (Please send my regards to her family.)
- Ask after, inquire affter
- Hỏi thăm gia đình bạnTo inquire after one's friend's family
- Ask for, inquire about
- Hỏi thăm đường điTo ask [for] one's way