Definition

Verb: - To gently hook, lift, or pull something using a long, thin object: The primary meaning describes the action of using a stick, finger, or similar slender tool to retrieve, move, or tease something out of a narrow or hard-to-reach place, often with a delicate or careful motion. - To tease or provoke playfully: Used to describe the act of gently provoking, poking fun at, or teasing someone in a lighthearted, non-malicious manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Physical Action):
  • Cô ấy dùng cái đũa để khều viên kẹo dưới gầm bàn. (She used a chopstick to hook the candy from under the table.)
  • Anh ta khều thanh củi trong đống lửa. (He poked/prodded the log in the fire.)
• Verb (Figurative/Playful Action):
  • Đừng khều nó nữa, nó sắp giận đấy. (Don't tease him anymore, he's about to get angry.)
  • Bọn trẻ thích khều nhau cho cười. (The kids like to tease each other to make them laugh.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khều khều": A reduplicated form that emphasizes a gentle, repeated, or playful poking/teasing action.
  • Nó cứ khều khều vào má em bé. (He kept gently poking the baby's cheek.)
• Used to describe a subtle, indirect provocation or incitement.
  • Hắn chỉ nói một câu để khều cơn tức của đối thủ. (He just said one sentence to prod/incite his opponent's anger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kều (verb): A variant with the same core meanings as "khều" (to hook, to tease).
• Chọc (verb): To poke, to tease. Often stronger or more direct than "khều."
• Trêu (verb): To tease, to joke with. Similar to the figurative use of "khều."

Synonyms

• Chọc (verb): to poke, to tease.
• Trêu (verb): to tease, to joke.
• Chòng (verb): to prod, to jab (often more forceful).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khều ra: To hook/pull something out.
  • Tôi phải khều ra chiếc chìa khóa bị rơi xuống cống. (I had to fish out the key that fell into the drain.)
• Khều lên: To hook/lift something up.
  • Dùng cần câu khều lên cành cây bị gãy. (Use a fishing rod to lift up the broken tree branch.)

Related Idioms

• Khều cho cười: To tease for fun/to make someone laugh.
  • Anh ấy hay khều cho cười trong lúc trò chuyện. (He often teases for laughs during conversation.)
• Khều của ngon vật lạ: (Idiomatic) To seek out or procure rare and delicious things. This extends from the idea of "hooking" something desirable.
  • Ông ấy đi khắp nơi để khều của ngon vật lạ về đãi khách. (He travels everywhere to procure rare delicacies to treat his guests.)

verb

1. to tease