rái

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The Vietnamese word "rái" has several meanings and usages that can be quite interesting for new learners.

Basic Meaning:

1. Rái (as a noun) is often shorthand for "rái cá," which means "otter." In this context, otters are known for their playful nature and ability to swim.

Usage Instructions:

• "Rái" can be used in casual conversations when talking about animals, especially in a playful or metaphorical context.
• It can also be part of idiomatic expressions and proverbs in Vietnamese.

Examples:

1. Literal Use:

   • "Con rái cá bơi rất nhanh." (The otter swims very fast.)

2. Metaphorical Use:

   • "Lội như rái" means "to swim like an otter," which can be used to describe someone who is very good at swimming or moving quickly in water.

Advanced Usage:

• "Khôn cho người ta rái, dại cho người ta thương" is a Vietnamese proverb. It means "to be so wise that people are frightened by you, or to be so foolish that people pity you." This reflects the complexities of wisdom and folly in social interactions.

• "Phải một lần, rái đến già" is another proverb that means "to meet with one failure but will dread it until the end of one's life." This suggests that a single failure can haunt a person forever.

Word Variants:

While "rái" itself is quite specific, it relates closely to "rái cá" (otter). In a broader context, you might encounter related terms such as: - "Rái rồng" (dragon otter), which is another term for a specific type of otter.

Different Meanings:

• Beyond its primary meaning as "otter," "rái" can also imply fear or caution in the context of the proverbs mentioned.

Synonyms:

• For "rái cá," there are not many direct synonyms, but you can refer to otters in a more general sense as "động vật thủy sinh" (aquatic animal) when discussing their habitat.

Academic

1. rái cá (nói tắt)
   • Lội như rái
     To swim like an otter, to swim like a fish.
2. (ít dùng) Be frightened
   • Khôn cho người ta rái, dại cho người ta thương (tục ngữ)
     To be so wise that people are frightened by one, to be so foolish that people pity one
3. Give up, dread
   • Phải một lần, rái đến già (tục ngữ)
     To meet with one failure but will dread it until the end of one's life