Definition

Noun: A very small amount; a tiny bit; a little bit. This word is used informally to indicate a very small quantity of something, often something uncountable or abstract.

Usage

• Used to indicate a very small quantity: "tí chút" is placed before a noun to specify that there is only a very small amount of it.
  • Cho tôi tí chút đường. (Give me a tiny bit of sugar.)
  • Chỉ còn tí chút cơm thôi. (There's only a very little bit of rice left.)
• Used to soften a request or statement: It can make a request sound more polite or modest.
  • Anh có thể giúp tôi tí chút được không? (Could you help me a little bit?)
  • Tôi chỉ biết tí chút tiếng Anh. (I only know a little bit of English.)

Examples

• (She only ate a tiny bit of soup.)
• (Please add a little bit more salt to the soup.)
• (Wait for me just a little bit!)
• (I need to borrow a little bit of money from you.)

Advanced Usage

• "một tí chút": This is a common variant that emphasizes the smallness even more, translating to "just a tiny little bit."
  • Uống một tí chút rượu vang thôi. (Drink just a tiny little bit of wine.)
• Used for abstract concepts: It can be used with abstract nouns like time, effort, or patience.
  • Chúng ta cần tí chút kiên nhẫn. (We need a little bit of patience.)
  • Dự án này đòi hỏi tí chút sáng tạo. (This project requires a little bit of creativity.)

Variants and Related Words

• chút (noun): A bit, a little. Slightly more formal than "tí chút."
  • chút thời gian (a bit of time)
• chút ít (noun): A little bit, a small amount. Similar in meaning and formality to "tí chút."
  • chút ít kinh nghiệm (a little bit of experience)
• tí (noun): A tiny bit, a wee bit. Very informal, often used by children or in casual speech.
  • tí muối (a wee bit of salt)
• một chút (noun): A little bit. A common and neutral phrase.
  • một chút nước (a little bit of water)

Synonyms

• một ít: some, a little.
• một lượng nhỏ: a small amount.
• chút xíu (informal): a tiny bit, a smidgen.

Notes on Meaning

• Informal Register: "Tí chút" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and informal writing. In more formal contexts, "một chút" or "chút" is preferred.
• Emphasis on Smallness: The word strongly emphasizes that the quantity is minimal, often less than what "một chút" implies.
• No Direct Phrasal Verbs or Idioms: As a noun phrase indicating quantity, "tí chút" does not form phrasal verbs or specific idioms. Its usage is consistent in modifying nouns.

noun

1. very little bit