Definition

1. Verb:

   • To like, to be fond of: To have a positive feeling or preference towards someone or something; to find something agreeable or pleasing.
   • To nudge, to poke: To push or prod someone or something gently, typically with a pointed object or a body part like an elbow or knee.
   • To tattoo, to engrave: To puncture the skin with a needle to insert ink, creating a permanent design; or to inscribe a mark onto a surface.

2. Noun (rare, specialized):

   • Buddhist title: An honorific title for a Buddhist monk or nun.
   • Maple tree (botany): A type of tree (from the Vietnamese-French dictionary reference).

Usage Examples

• Verb (to like):
  • Tôi thích cà phê vào buổi sáng. (I like coffee in the morning.)
  • Cô ấy thích đọc sách. (She likes to read books.)
• Verb (to nudge):
  • Anh ấy thích khuỷu tay vào tôi để gây chú ý. (He nudged his elbow into me to get my attention.)
• Verb (to tattoo):
  • Người đó muốn thích một hình xăm lên cánh tay. (That person wants to tattoo a design on their arm.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb "thích" is extremely common in everyday speech to express personal preferences, ranging from mild interest to strong fondness. It is less formal than "yêu" (to love).
• In its meaning of "to nudge," it often implies a discreet or secretive action to signal someone.

Variants and Related Words

• Ưa thích (v): to prefer, to favor. ( / I prefer the color blue.)
• Thích thú (adj): delighted, amused. ( / The child seemed very delighted.)
• Thích hợp (adj): suitable, appropriate. ( / This is a suitable time.)

Synonyms

• To like: ưa, chuộng.
• To nudge: thúc, chọt.
• To tattoo: xăm.

Related Idioms

• Thích ý: to be pleased, to be satisfied with how things are.
  • Mọi việc diễn ra đúng thích ý. (Everything went according to his/her liking.)
• Vừa ý thích: to suit one's taste.
  • Căn nhà này vừa ý thích của tôi. (This house suits my taste.)

noun

1. buddhist (a buddhist title)

verb

1. to nudge to like, to be fond of to tattoo, to engrave