khêu gợi

Definition

Adjective:
- Sex-appeal; sexy; alluring; suggestive: Describes something or someone that arouses interest, desire, or curiosity, often in a subtle, indirect, or sensual manner. It implies a quality that is enticing and provocative.
- Provocative; stimulating: Can describe something (like a remark, image, or style) that is intended to provoke thought, emotion, or reaction.
Verb (less common):
- To evoke; to arouse; to stimulate: The act of causing a memory, feeling, or idea to arise in someone's mind.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- Cô ấy có vẻ đẹp rất khêu gợi. (She has a very alluring/sexy beauty.)
- Anh ta đưa ra một nhận xét khêu gợi về chính trị. (He made a provocative comment about politics.)
- Chiếc váy đó có kiểu dáng khêu gợi. (That dress has a suggestive design.)
Verb:
- Bài thơ khêu gợi nỗi nhớ quê hương. (The poem evokes nostalgia for one's homeland.)

Advanced Usage

"một nụ cười khêu gợi": a suggestive/seductive smile.
- Cô ấy đáp lại bằng một nụ cười khêu gợi. (She responded with a suggestive smile.)
"lời nói khêu gợi": provocative/innuendo-laden speech.
- Anh nên tránh những lời nói khêu gợi ở nơi làm việc. (You should avoid provocative speech in the workplace.)

Variants and Related Words

Khêu (verb): to poke (e.g., a fire); to provoke or stir up (feelings).
Gợi (verb): to suggest; to evoke; to remind.
Gợi cảm (adj): sensual; attractive; appealing (often used similarly to "khêu gợi" but can be slightly less intense or more general).
Kích thích (verb/adj): to stimulate; stimulating (broader term, not exclusively sensual).

Synonyms

Related Phrases

Ăn mặc khêu gợi: to dress in a provocative/suggestive manner.
- Cô ấy thích ăn mặc khêu gợi khi đi dự tiệc. (She likes to dress provocatively when going to parties.)

Related Idioms

Khêu ngọn lửa lòng: to stir the flames of passion/emotion (figurative).
- Bản nhạc ấy khêu ngọn lửa lòng trong anh. (That piece of music stirred the flames of passion within him.)

adj