Definition

Verb: - To scratch: To make a shallow cut or mark on a surface, especially skin, with something sharp like claws or fingernails. This action is often done by animals, like cats, or sometimes by people.

Usage

The verb "quào" describes the action of scratching, typically resulting in a mark or minor injury. It is most commonly used for animals using their claws. - Con mèo quào vợ tôi. (The cat scratched my wife.) - Đừng để mèo quào vào ghế sofa. (Don't let the cat scratch the sofa.) - Đứa bé bị con chó quào vào tay. (The child got scratched on the hand by the dog.)

Advanced Usage

• "quào cấu": This is a common reduplicative phrase that intensifies the meaning, suggesting vigorous or repeated scratching, often in a fight or struggle.
  • Hai con mèo đánh nhau, quào cấu khắp người. (The two cats fought, scratching and clawing all over.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cào (verb): A more standard and common synonym for "to scratch." "Quào" can sound more colloquial or descriptive of the action's sound/effect.
  • Con mèo cào rách rèm. (The cat scratched the curtain, tearing it.)
• Vết quào / Vết cào (noun): A scratch (the mark or injury).
  • Trên tay cô ấy có một vết quào dài. (There is a long scratch on her arm.)

Synonyms

• Cào: To scratch.
• Cấu: To claw or pinch (often with fingernails).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Quào đến xước da": To scratch until the skin is broken. Emphasizes the severity of the scratch.
  • Con mèo hoang quào đến xước da nó. (The stray cat scratched him until his skin broke.)

verb

1. to scratch
   • con mèo quào vợ tôi
     The cat scratched my wife