khẻ

Thân thiện

Cô giáo lấy thước khẻ nhẹ vào bàn để ra hiệu im lặng.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To strike lightly or tap with a hard object: "khẻ" describes the action of hitting something or someone with a short, light, sharp motion, typically using a small, hard object like a ruler or stick. It implies a corrective or playful tap, not a heavy blow.
   • To chip or nick (like 'ghè'): In some contexts, it can mean to chip or break off a small piece from a hard object, similar to the word "ghè."

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô giáo lấy thước khẻ nhẹ vào tay học sinh. (The teacher took a ruler and struck/tapped the student's hand lightly.)
  • Đừng khẻ vào cái ly, nó sẽ vỡ mất. (Don't tap the glass, it might break.)
  • Anh ta khẻ một miếng nhỏ từ viên đá. (He chipped a small piece off the rock.)

Advanced Usage

• "khẻ khẻ": This reduplicated form emphasizes a repeated, light tapping action or sound.
  • Nó gõ khẻ khẻ vào cửa. (He knocked lightly and repeatedly on the door.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ghè (verb): To chip, to notch. This is a near-synonym for the secondary meaning of "khẻ."
  • ghè miệng bát (to chip the rim of a bowl)

Synonyms

• Gõ: To knock, to tap (often with knuckles).
• Vỗ: To pat, to tap (usually with an open hand).
• Đập nhẹ: To strike lightly.

Related Idioms

• Khẻ tay: Literally "to strike the hand," often used to describe a light, corrective punishment or a warning tap.
  • Hư là bị khẻ tay đấy. (If you misbehave, you'll get your hand struck/tapped.)

Học thuật

1. Strike
   • Lấy cái thước khẻ vào tay ai
     To take a ruler and strike somebody's hand
   • như ghè