Definition

1. Verb:
   • To frequent: To visit or go to a particular place regularly or habitually.
   • To go back and forth / To move to and fro: To move in one direction and then back again, often within a limited space. This can be physical movement or metaphorical movement between options or states.
   • To know how to advance and retreat (figurative): To understand social or situational propriety; to know when to push forward and when to hold back or withdraw.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to frequent):
  • Anh ấy thường xuyên tới lui quán cà phê này. (He frequently frequents this coffee shop.)
• Verb (to go back and forth):
  • Chiếc xe tải tới lui trong con hẻm nhỏ. (The truck went back and forth in the narrow alley.)
  • Cô ấy đang phân vân, tới lui giữa hai lựa chọn. (She is hesitating, going back and forth between two choices.)
• Verb (to know how to advance and retreat):
  • Anh ta là người biết điều, rất biết tới lui. (He is a considerate person who knows very well how to advance and retreat.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a sense of reciprocity or repeated action within a relationship or space.
• It can describe the dynamic of a relationship where visits or interactions are mutual and ongoing.
  • Hai gia đình ấy tới lui với nhau đã lâu. (Those two families have been visiting each other for a long time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lui tới (verb): This reversed form carries the same core meanings as "tới lui," primarily "to frequent" or "to visit."
  • Sao dạo này không thấy anh lui tới? (How come I haven't seen you coming around lately?)

Synonyms

• To frequent: To visit often.
• To shuttle: To travel back and forth regularly.
• To oscillate: To swing or move back and forth between points (more formal, for metaphorical use).
• To be tactful: To have or show skill and sensitivity in dealing with others (for the figurative sense).

Related Idioms

• Biết lẽ tới lui: To know the proper way to behave; to have tact and know when to advance or retreat in social situations.
  • Trong công việc, cần phải biết lẽ tới lui. (In work, one must know when to advance and when to retreat.)

verb

1. to frequent