thám thính
Definition
- Verb:
- To spy: To secretly collect information about an enemy, competitor, or organization.
- To reconnoiter / to scout: To observe or explore an area to gather information, especially about its features or the activities occurring there.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Một điệp viên được cử đi thám thính căn cứ địch. (A spy was sent to reconnoiter the enemy base.)
- Đội tiền trạm đi thám thính con đường phía trước. (The advance team went to scout the road ahead.)
- Họ bị bắt vì tội thám thính bí mật quân sự. (They were arrested for the crime of spying on military secrets.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "thám thính" carries a formal and somewhat literary tone, often associated with military, espionage, or serious investigation contexts. In everyday conversation for simpler "checking out" or "looking around," words like "dò xét" or "thăm dò" are more common.
Variants and Related Words
- Thám tử (n): detective, investigator.
- Thám tử tư điều tra vụ án. (The private detective investigated the case.)
- Trinh sát (v/n): to reconnoiter; a scout or reconnaissance agent.
- Lính trinh sát thám thính vị trí đối phương. (The reconnaissance soldiers scouted the opponent's position.)
- Do thám (v): to spy, to reconnoiter (similar to "thám thính").
- Máy bay do thám bay trên vùng trời. (A spy plane flew in the airspace.)
Synonyms
- Spy: To act as a spy.
- Reconnoiter: To make a military observation of a region.
- Scout: To explore an area to obtain information.
Related Idioms
- Mắt thám thính: (lit. spying eyes) Refers to a keen, observant, and inquisitive gaze.
- Đứa trẻ nhìn với đôi mắt thám thính. (The child looked with inquisitive eyes.)
verb
-
to spy, to collect intelligence
