Definition

1. Verb:

   • To spread, to daub, to coat (a thin, even layer): The primary meaning refers to the action of applying a substance in a thin, even layer by spreading or smearing it onto a surface.
   • To spank, to hit (a child): A colloquial, often regional, usage meaning to hit or spank, typically a child, often with an implement like a stick or rod.

2. Noun:

   • Comma (regional variant): A regional term synonymous with the standard word for comma (dấu phẩy). Also used in mathematics as "prime" (e.g., a phết for a').

Usage Examples

• Verb (to spread/daub):
  • Phết bơ lên bánh mì. (Spread butter on bread.)
  • Phết hồ vào giấy. (Spread glue on paper.)
• Verb (to spank):
  • Phết cho nó một trận. (Give him a spanking.)
  • Phết vào đít. (Spank on the bottom.)
• Noun (comma/prime):
  • Dùng dấu phết để ngăn cách các thành phần. (Use a comma to separate components.)
  • A phết (a') là ký hiệu toán học. (A prime (a') is a mathematical symbol.)

Advanced Usage

• "Phết" as an intensifier (slang): In modern, informal Vietnamese, "phết" can be used as a particle at the end of a sentence to express that something is extreme, intense, or "a lot," similar to "very" or "really."
  • Bài này khó phết! (This lesson is really difficult!)
  • Anh ấy chạy nhanh phết. (He runs pretty fast.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dấu phết (n): Comma. The full term for the punctuation mark.
• Phẩy (n, v): The more standard word for "comma." Also a verb meaning "to flick" or "to whisk."
• Quệt (v): To smear, to wipe (often implies a quicker, less careful action than "phết").
• Bôi (v): To smear, to daub (can be messier or thicker than "phết").

Synonyms

• Trét, bôi (v): To smear, to daub (for the spreading action).
• Đánh, vụt (v): To hit, to strike (for the spanking action).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Phết lên: To spread onto.
  • Phết sơn lên tường. (To spread paint onto the wall.)
• Phết cho: To give (a spanking) to.
  • Mẹ phết cho nó mấy roi. (Mom gave him a few strokes with the rod.)

Related Idioms

• Phết hồ dán giấy: Literally "to spread glue on paper," can be used figuratively to describe a meticulous or careful preparatory action.
• Ăn phết: (Slang) To eat a lot or to eat vigorously.
  • Nó ăn phết ba bát cơm. (He really put away three bowls of rice.)

1. (địa phương) cũng nói dấu phết Comma
2. Spread, daub
   • Phết hồ vào giấy.
     To spread glue on paper
3. Spank
   • Phết cho nó một trận
     Give him a spanking