Definition

1. Verb:
   • To provoke, to incite, to goad: To deliberately stimulate or arouse a specific reaction, often a negative or competitive one, such as anger, argument, or action. It involves saying or doing something to challenge someone's pride, emotions, or competitive spirit.
   • To taunt, to needle: To make remarks intended to annoy or challenge someone, often by touching on their sensitive points or pride.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy cố tình khích tôi để tôi chấp nhận thử thách. (He deliberately provoked me to make me accept the challenge.)
  • Đừng nghe những lời khích bác đó. (Don't listen to those taunting remarks.)
  • Huấn luyện viên khích lòng thi đấu của các cầu thủ trước trận đấu quan trọng. (The coach incited the competitive spirit of the players before the important match.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khích tướng": A compound word meaning to provoke or challenge a general (or by extension, a leader). This is a strategic term often used in both military and competitive contexts.

  • Đó là một chiến thuật khích tướng cổ điển. (That is a classic provocation tactic.)

• "Khích lệ": A compound word meaning to encourage, to motivate. Note: This is a positive variant, combining "khích" (to stimulate) with "lệ" (to urge).

  • Lời khen của cô ấy đã khích lệ tôi rất nhiều. (Her praise greatly encouraged me.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khiêu khích (verb): To挑衅, to provoke aggressively. This is a stronger, more confrontational synonym.

  • Hành động đó bị coi là khiêu khích. (That action was considered provocative.)

• Chọc khích (verb): To tease, to provoke in a teasing or annoying manner.

  • Nó thích chọc khích em trai mình. (He likes to tease his younger brother.)

Synonyms

• Chọc tức: To irritate, to annoy.
• Kích động: To incite, to stir up (often used for inciting a crowd or emotions).
• Thách thức: To challenge.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khích bác (verb phrase): To taunt, to speak provocatively with contempt.
  • Anh ta không ngừng khích bác đối thủ. (He kept taunting his opponent.)

Related Idioms

• "Khích tướng bên ngoài, an quân bên trong": (To provoke the enemy general outside while securing one's own troops inside.) An idiom describing a strategy of provoking the opponent while ensuring one's own stability. It highlights the tactical use of provocation.

1. Provoke
   • Họ đang khích nhau
     They are provoking each other