Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To show an attitude, to appear with a certain air/manner: "ra chiều" describes the act of displaying or manifesting a particular attitude, demeanor, or expression through one's appearance or actions. It indicates how someone seems or presents themselves.

Usage

• "Ra chiều" is used to describe the outward manifestation of an inner state, such as an emotion, opinion, or attitude. It is often followed by an adjective or a descriptive phrase that specifies the nature of that air or manner.
• It is commonly used in written and spoken Vietnamese to add descriptive nuance about a person's expression or bearing.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ta mỉm cười ra chiều đắc thắng. (He smiled with a triumphant air.)
  • Cô ấy gật đầu ra chiều tán thành. (She nodded with an approving air.)
  • Ông ấy nhìn tôi ra chiều không hài lòng. (He looked at me with a dissatisfied air.)

Advanced Usage

• "ra vẻ": This is a very close synonym to "ra chiều". While often interchangeable, "ra vẻ" can sometimes imply a slight pretense or putting on an act, whereas "ra chiều" is more neutral, focusing on the manifested appearance.
  • Nó nói ra vẻ/ra chiều thông thái lắm. (He spoke with a very knowledgeable air.)
• The phrase can be used in various tenses by conjugating the auxiliary verb (if any) or the context.
  • Đừng có ra chiều ta đây biết tuốt! (Don't act like you know everything!)

Variants and Related Words

• Vẻ (n): appearance, look, aspect. Often used in similar constructions (có vẻ, làm ra vẻ).
• Điệu bộ (n): gesture, mannerism.
• Thái độ (n): attitude.

Synonyms

• Có vẻ: to seem, to appear.
• Làm ra vẻ: to put on an air, to pretend.
• Biểu lộ (v): to show, to express.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Ra chiều ta đây (quan trọng): To put on airs (of importance), to act self-importantly.
  • Anh ta lúc nào cũng ra chiều ta đây quan trọng. (He always puts on airs of importance.)
• While "ra chiều" itself is a phrase, it functions as a unit. It is not typically broken down into phrasal verbs as in English.

1. With an air
   • Anh ta mỉm cười ra chiều đắc thắng
     He smiled with a triumphant air