Definition

1. 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.)

1. Ask after, inquire affter
   • Hỏi thăm gia đình bạn
     To inquire after one's friend's family
2. Ask for, inquire about
   • Hỏi thăm đường đi
     To ask [for] one's way