Definition

1. Verb:

   • To wink: To quickly close and open one eye, often as a signal or a friendly gesture.
   • To blink: To close and open both eyes quickly. (Note: This meaning is less common for 'nháy mắt' and is more precisely 'chớp mắt'. 'Nháy mắt' typically implies intention or a signal.)

2. Noun:

   • A wink: The act of winking.
   • A twinkle, a twinkling: A very brief moment, often used in the phrase 'trong nháy mắt'.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Anh ấy nháy mắt với tôi như một dấu hiệu bí mật. (He winked at me as a secret signal.)
  • Cô ấy nháy mắt để ra hiệu rằng mọi thứ đều ổn. (She winked to signal that everything was okay.)

• Noun:

  • Một cái nháy mắt của anh ấy khiến cô ấy cười. (His wink made her smile.)
  • Công việc được hoàn thành trong nháy mắt. (The work was finished in a twinkling.)

Advanced Usage

• "nháy mắt ra hiệu": to wink as a signal.

  • Anh ta nháy mắt ra hiệu cho đồng đội tấn công. (He winked a signal to his teammate to attack.)

• "trong nháy mắt": in the blink/twinkling of an eye; in an instant.

  • Chiếc xe biến mất trong nháy mắt. (The car disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chớp mắt (verb): To blink (both eyes, usually involuntarily).
• Nháy (verb): Can mean to wink, but also used for a quick flash of light (e.g., đèn nháy - blinking light).

Synonyms

• Ra hiệu bằng mắt: To signal with the eyes.
• Làm hiệu: To make a sign/signal.

Related Phrases

• Nháy mắt đưa tình: To wink flirtatiously.
  • Anh chàng luôn nháy mắt đưa tình với mọi cô gái. (The guy always winks flirtatiously at every girl.)

Related Idioms

• Nhanh như chớp/nháy mắt: As fast as lightning/as quick as a wink.
  • Tên trộm biến mất nhanh như chớp. (The thief disappeared as fast as lightning.)

1. Wink
   • Nháy mắt ra hiệu
     To wink at (someone)
2. Twinkle, twinkling
   • Trong nháy mắt
     In a twinkle, in a twinkling, in the twinkling of an eyes