Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Infatuated with a girl/woman; to be smitten by a girl/woman: The primary meaning describes a man who is excessively fond of or obsessed with a girl or woman, often to the point of neglecting his duties or responsibilities. It carries a colloquial and slightly critical tone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta dạo này phải gái quá, chẳng chịu làm ăn gì cả. (He has been too infatuated with a woman lately, refusing to do any work.)
  • Thằng bạn tôi phải gái mất rồi, suốt ngày chỉ nhắn tin. (My friend is completely smitten; he's texting all day long.)
  • Đừng có phải gái mà quên nhiệm vụ chính. (Don't get so hung up on a girl that you forget your main duties.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is inherently informal/vulgar (thông tục/thổ ngữ) and is typically used in spoken language or informal contexts to criticize or tease someone's behavior.
• It often implies a negative consequence, such as neglecting work (xao nhãng công việc), studies, or other responsibilities due to this infatuation.

Variants and Related Words

• Mê gái (v): To be crazy about girls. This is a more general and common synonym.
• Phải lòng (v): To fall in love. This is a more neutral and standard term without the negative connotation of neglect.
• Say nắng (v, colloq.): To be lovesick; to be head over heels. Another colloquial term for strong infatuation.

Synonyms

• Be infatuated with: Say mê, mê đắm.
• Be spoony upon (archaic): Mê mẩn (the reference uses this dated English equivalent).
• Be smitten by: Bị cưa đổ, bị hớp hồn.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Phải gái phải trai: This extended phrase can be used, though less commonly, to describe anyone (male or female) being infatuated, but the original "phải gái" specifically targets a male's infatuation with a female.
• Mê gái quên đời: An idiom meaning "to be so obsessed with girls that one forgets about life itself," emphasizing the extreme negative consequence.

1. (thông tục) Be spoony upon a girl