lẩy
Definition
Verb:
- To shell, to shuck, to remove kernels: The primary meaning of "lẩy" is to separate grains or seeds from a cob or ear, most commonly used for corn (maize).
- To extract, to quote selectively: "lẩy" refers to the act of extracting and quoting specific lines or verses from a larger literary work, most famously from the epic poem Truyện Kiều.
Verb (dialectal/colloquial):
- To sulk, to pout: In some dialects, "lẩy" describes the action of being sullen, petulant, or showing silent, displeased resentment.
Usage Examples
- Verb (to shell):
- Cô ấy ngồi lẩy ngô. (She sat shelling corn.)
- Verb (to extract/quote):
- Ông giáo hay lẩy Kiều khi giảng văn. (The teacher often quotes from The Tale of Kiều when lecturing on literature.)
- Verb (to sulk):
- Đứa trẻ giận lẩy, không chịu ăn cơm. (The child sulked and refused to eat.)
Advanced Usage
- "Lẩy Kiều": This is a set phrase meaning "to quote from ." It signifies the deep cultural practice of using verses from this specific literary masterpiece to illustrate a point or express a sentiment.
- Bài viết của anh ấy đầy những câu lẩy Kiều rất hay. (His writing is full of excellent quotes from The Tale of Kiều.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lẩy bắp / Lẩy ngô (v): to shuck corn, to remove kernels from a corn cob.
- Lẩy thơ (v): to quote poetry (a more general term than "lẩy Kiều").
Synonyms
- To shell / to shuck: (for corn).
- To extract / to quote: (for literature).
- To sulk / to pout: (for mood).
Related Idioms
- Giận lẩy: to be in a sulk, to be petulant.
- Nó giận lẩy cả ngày vì không được mua đồ chơi. (He sulked all day because he couldn't buy a toy.)