mách nước
Definition
- Verb:
- To give a hint or tip (to someone): To discreetly suggest a method or piece of information to help someone solve a problem or succeed in a situation, often in a secretive or confidential manner.
- To advise or coach (on a sly method): To inform someone of a clever or sometimes underhanded way to achieve a desired outcome, implying insider knowledge.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Trước kỳ thi, anh ấy đã mách nước cho tôi một số mẹo làm bài. (Before the exam, he gave me some tips on test-taking techniques.)
- Cô ấy mách nước cách thương lượng để có giá tốt hơn. (She tipped me off on how to negotiate for a better price.)
- Đừng mách nước cho đối thủ của chúng ta. (Don't give hints to our opponent.)
Advanced Usage
- The action often carries a nuance of sharing privileged, clever, or strategic information not readily available to others. It can be used in neutral, helpful contexts or in situations involving an unfair advantage.
Variants and Related Words
- Mách (v): To tell on someone, to inform (often secretly). This is the root verb, with "mách nước" being a specific idiomatic compound.
- Đứa trẻ mách mẹ về việc anh trai nó trốn học. (The child tells his mother about his older brother skipping school.)
Synonyms
- To tip off: To give confidential information.
- To give a pointer: To offer a piece of helpful advice.
- To clue in: To provide with key information.
Related Idioms
- Mách lẻo: To tattle, to tell tales (often with a negative connotation of being a gossip or informant).
- Đứa bé hay mách lẻo với cô giáo. (The child often tattles to the teacher.)