Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flick off, to brush off lightly: "phủi" describes the action of removing something (like dust, dirt, or small particles) from a surface with a quick, light, sweeping motion, often using fingers or a cloth.
   • To dismiss, to disregard (figurative): In a metaphorical sense, "phủi" can mean to lightly or casually dismiss or brush aside something intangible, such as an obligation, a favor, or a feeling.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (to flick/brush off):
  • Cô ấy phủi bụi trên áo khoác. (She flicked the dust off her coat.)
  • Anh ta phủi mấy hạt cát trên bàn. (He brushed off a few grains of sand from the table.)
• Figurative meaning (to dismiss):
  • Đừng phủi bỏ lời khuyên của người đi trước. (Don't dismiss the advice of your elders.)
  • Hắn phủi sạch mọi trách nhiệm. (He brushed off all responsibilities.)

Advanced Usage

• "phủi tay": to wash one's hands of something; to disclaim responsibility.
  • Sau khi gây ra lỗi, nó phủi tay không nhận. (After causing the mistake, he washed his hands of it and didn't admit it.)
• "phủi phui" (reduplicative form): to flick or brush off repeatedly or casually.
  • Chỉ ngồi phủi phui mấy cọng tóc rơi. (Just sitting there, flicking off a few fallen strands of hair.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quét (v): to sweep. (Implies a broader, more thorough cleaning action compared to the light, specific "phủi").
• Lau (v): to wipe. (Implies using a cloth with more pressure or moisture).
• Phất (v): to whisk away; to wave something to remove particles. (Similar but can imply a fanning motion).

Synonyms

• Gạt (v): to push aside, to flick. (Can be used similarly but may imply slightly more force).
• Vỗ (v): to pat, to clap. (e.g., "vỗ áo" - to pat clothes to remove dust, a similar action).

Related Phrases

• Phủi bụi: to dust off; to flick dust away.
  • Công việc đầu tiên là phủi bụi trên kệ sách. (The first task is to dust off the bookshelf.)
• Phủi áo: to brush off one's clothes.
  • Anh đứng dậy và phủi áo. (He stood up and brushed off his clothes.)

Related Idioms

• Phủi công ơn: to disregard/forget a favor or debt of gratitude.
  • Làm người không nên phủi công ơn cha mẹ. (As a person, one should not disregard the gratitude owed to one's parents.)
• Phủi sạch nợ nần: (figuratively) to brush off debts or obligations.
  • Công ty tìm cách phủi sạch nợ nần. (The company is looking for a way to brush off all its debts.)

1. Flick off
   • Phủi bụi
     To flick off dust, to dust