Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make fun of, to mock, to ridicule: "nhẻ nhói" describes the action of teasing, mocking, or making sport of someone, often in a persistent, annoying, or slightly malicious manner. It implies a sense of belittling or scornful laughter directed at another person.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó cứ nhẻ nhói bạn nó suốt buổi sáng. (He kept making fun of his friend all morning.)
  • Đừng nhẻ nhói nhau như thế. (Don't mock each other like that.)
  • Cô ấy không thích bị nhẻ nhói trước đám đông. (She doesn't like being ridiculed in front of a crowd.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Tone and Context: "Nhẻ nhói" carries a negative connotation. It is not light-hearted, friendly teasing but rather a behavior that can cause embarrassment or hurt feelings. It is considered impolite and unkind.
• Formality: This word is marked as "ít dùng" (less commonly used) in modern Vietnamese but remains perfectly understandable. It may sound slightly literary or old-fashioned to some speakers.

Variants and Related Words

• Chế nhạo (verb): To deride, to sneer at. This is a more common synonym with a similar meaning.
• Chê cười (verb): To mock, to scorn. This is the definition given in the Vietnamese-Vietnamese dictionary.
• Nhạo báng (verb): To ridicule, to scoff at. A stronger term implying public humiliation.

Synonyms

• Chế giễu: To ridicule, to deride.
• Bỡn cợt: To jest, to joke (can be less harsh than "nhẻ nhói").
• Chòng ghẹo: To tease, to banter (often less malicious).

Related Phrases

• Giễu cợt: To mock, to make a joke of someone/something.
• Làm trò cười: To make a laughingstock of someone.

1. (ít dùng) Make fun of, make sport of