Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Keen, sharp, sensitive: "Thính" describes a heightened sensitivity, particularly of the senses like hearing or smell, or a sharp, quick perception in understanding situations.
   • Example: Mũi con chó ấy rất thính. (That dog's nose is very keen.)

2. Noun:

   • Roasted rice powder: "Thính" is a noun referring to a fragrant powder made from roasted and pounded rice, used as a seasoning in certain Vietnamese dishes.
   • Example: Món nem cần có thính. (Spring rolls need roasted rice powder.)

Usage Examples

• As an adjective (sensitive):

  • Tai bà ấy vẫn còn thính lắm. (Her hearing is still very sharp.)
  • Anh ấy có cái mũi thính, ngửi được mùi từ rất xa. (He has a sensitive nose, able to smell scents from far away.)
  • Nhà báo cần có sự nhạy bén, thính với các tin tức. (Journalists need to be alert and sharp with news.)

• As a noun (roasted rice powder):

  • Mẹ tôi đang rang gạo để làm thính. (My mother is roasting rice to make roasted rice powder.)
  • Thính làm cho món nem thêm thơm. (Roasted rice powder makes spring rolls more fragrant.)

Advanced Usage

• "thính tai": sharp-eared, having keen hearing.
  • Ông cụ tuy già nhưng vẫn thính tai. (The old man, though aged, still has sharp hearing.)
• "thính mũi": sharp-nosed, having a keen sense of smell.
  • Cảnh sát hình sự phải thính mũi với tội phạm. (Criminal police must be sharp-nosed with criminals.)
• "ăn thính" (idiomatic/slang): In modern slang, especially among youth, this can mean to "fall for" or be attracted to flirtatious or charming words.
  • Cậu ấy dễ ăn thính lắm, khen một tí là xiêu lòng ngay. (He falls for sweet talk easily, just a little praise and he's captivated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thính giác (n): The sense of hearing.
  • Âm nhạc quá lớn có thể làm hỏng thính giác. (Excessively loud music can damage your hearing.)
• Thính phòng (n): An auditorium or listening room (for music).
• Thính giả (n): Audience, listeners (especially for radio or a speech).

Synonyms

• As an adjective (keen): Nhạy (sensitive), Tinh (acute, refined), Sắc (sharp).
• As a noun (powder): Bột gạo rang (roasted rice flour).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Tai thính hơn mắt" (idiom): Literally "ears are keener than eyes," meaning hearing/rumors can be more revealing or faster than seeing for oneself. It highlights the power of hearing or gossip.
  • Đừng tin mọi thứ bạn nghe, nhưng đôi khi tai thính hơn mắt. (Don't believe everything you hear, but sometimes ears are keener than eyes.)
• "Đánh hơi thính": To have a keen nose for something, to be able to detect or sense something skillfully.
  • Phóng viên đó đánh hơi thính các vụ scandal. (That reporter has a keen nose for scandals.)

adj

1. keen, sharp, sensitive