Definition

1. Verb:
   • To tease (verbally): To say something with the primary intention of provoking a playful, annoyed, or slightly angry reaction from someone. The action is often lighthearted but aims to "get a rise" out of the listener.
   • To needle / To rib: To make mildly provocative or mocking remarks in order to annoy someone good-naturedly.
   • To say something to irritate: To speak with the deliberate purpose of causing mild anger or vexation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng có nói chọc nó nữa, nó sắp khóc đấy. (Stop teasing him, he's about to cry.)
  • Anh trai tôi thích nói chọc tôi cho tức. (My older brother likes to needle me to get me irritated.)
  • Cô ấy chỉ nói chọc cho vui thôi, đừng bực mình. (She's just ribbing you for fun, don't be upset.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be intensified. "nói chọc tức" specifically means to say something with the intent to provoke anger or annoyance.
  • Hắn cố tình nói chọc tức mọi người. (He deliberately said things to irritate everyone.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chọc ghẹo (v): To tease, to banter. This can involve both words and actions.
• Trêu chọc (v): To tease, to joke around (with someone). Very similar in meaning to .
• Nói móc (v): To make a sarcastic or snide remark; to dig at someone.

Synonyms

• Tease: To make fun of or attempt to provoke in a playful way.
• Needle: To annoy or goad someone with persistent remarks.
• Rib: To tease good-naturedly.

Related Idioms

• Chọc tức: To provoke to anger. While focuses on the verbal method, can involve any action meant to irritate.
• Chọc gậy bánh xe: Literally "to poke a stick into the wheel spokes". Figuratively means to deliberately obstruct or sabotage something. This is a stronger, more negative idiom than the often playful .

1. cũng nói nói tức Pin-prick