sòi
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Tallow-tree: A type of tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family (spurge family), known for its waxy seeds used historically in making tallow (a type of fat) and for its leaves, which can be used for dyeing.
- An expert, a seasoned person: (Colloquial, Northern Vietnamese dialect) A person who is highly skilled, experienced, or shrewd in a particular area.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Plant):
- Lá cây sòi có thể dùng để nhuộm vải màu đen. (The leaves of the tallow-tree can be used to dye fabric black.)
- Hạt sòi chứa nhiều dầu. (Tallow-tree seeds contain a lot of oil.)
- Noun (Person):
- Ông ấy là tay sòi trong nghề buôn bán này. (He is a seasoned expert in this trading business.)
- Đừng có đùa với hắn, hắn là dân sòi lắm. (Don't mess with him; he's a very shrewd/savvy character.)
Advanced Usage
- "kẻ sòi" / "tay sòi": These phrases emphasize someone as a cunning, highly experienced, or veteran operator, often in contexts like business, trade, or the streets.
- Cảnh sát biết hắn là một tay sòi của đường dây buôn lậu. (The police know he is a veteran operator of the smuggling ring.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cây sòi: Specifically refers to the tallow-tree plant.
- Sòi sọt: (Adjective, colloquial) Describes something as worn-out, shabby, or dilapidated. This is a distinct meaning and not a direct variant of 'sòi' alone.
- Cái xe đạp này trông sòi sọt quá. (This bicycle looks too dilapidated.)
Synonyms
- Cây bồ hòn (Chinese tallow tree): , a specific and common type of tallow-tree. Note: While closely related, "bồ hòn" and "sòi" can sometimes refer to different species within the same family.
- Chuyên gia, lão làng (expert, veteran): Synonyms for the colloquial meaning referring to a person.
Related Phrases (Collocations)
- Người sòi đời: A very worldly-wise and experienced person.
- Cụ già đó là một người sòi đời, hiểu biết mọi chuyện. (That old man is a worldly-wise person who understands everything.)
Related Idioms
- Sòi như củi: (Simile) As dry/withered as firewood; used to describe something extremely dry or someone very thin and haggard. This idiom uses 'sòi' in a descriptive, adjectival sense related to dryness, which is derived from the plant's appearance or a separate etymological root.
- Sau trận ốm, anh ta sòi như củi. (After the illness, he became as thin and dry as firewood.)
- (thực vật) Tallow-tree