Definition

1. Verb:
   • To see / to catch sight of: To perceive with the eyes; to have something come into one's field of vision. This is the most common and direct meaning.
   • To notice / to perceive: To become visually aware of something, often implying a moment of realization or recognition.
   • To be visible / to be seen: Used to describe something that is clear or obvious to the eye.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi đã trông thấy nó. (I saw it.)
  • Trông thấy đám cháy, họ gọi cứu hỏa ngay. (Upon seeing the fire, they called the fire department immediately.)
  • Tiến bộ trông thấy. (Visible progress.)

Advanced Usage

• "trông thấy" vs. "nhìn thấy": While often interchangeable, "trông thấy" can sometimes emphasize the act of looking and then seeing, or seeing from a distance. "Nhìn thấy" is generally more neutral for "to see."
  • Đứng trên đồi, chúng tôi trông thấy cả ngôi làng. (Standing on the hill, we could see the whole village.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trông (v): to look, to watch, to look after. This is the root verb meaning "to look."
• Thấy (v): to see, to feel, to perceive. This is the root verb meaning "to see."
• Nhìn thấy (v): to see (a common synonym).

Synonyms

• See: to perceive with the eyes.
• Spot: to see, especially something difficult to find.
• Notice: to become aware of something by seeing it.
• Catch sight of: to see something briefly or suddenly.

Related Idioms

• Trông thấy là thèm: (Literally: to see it is to crave it) Used to describe something that looks incredibly appealing or delicious just by the sight of it.
  • Bánh ngon quá, trông thấy là thèm. (The cake is so delicious, just the sight of it makes you want it.)