trêu chọc
Definition
- Verb:
- To tease: To playfully make fun of or provoke someone in a light-hearted, often affectionate manner, usually to get a reaction.
- To provoke / To annoy: To deliberately irritate or bother someone, sometimes crossing into being mildly aggravating.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đừng trêu chọc em gái của bạn. (Don't tease your little sister.)
- Bọn trẻ thích trêu chọc nhau. (The children like to tease each other.)
- Anh ấy trêu chọc tôi về chiếc mũ mới. (He teased me about my new hat.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often implies a sense of playful mischief. The intent can range from friendly and humorous to slightly bothersome, depending on context and tone.
Variants and Related Words
Trêu (v): A more casual, shorter form meaning "to tease" or "to joke with."
- Anh ấy chỉ đang trêu bạn thôi. (He's just teasing you.)
Chọc (v): Can mean "to poke" (physically) or "to provoke." When combined with "trêu," it emphasizes the provocative action.
- Đừng chọc nó. (Don't provoke him/her/it.)
Synonyms
- Tease: To make fun of someone playfully.
- Provoke: To stimulate or incite a reaction, often negative.
- Rib: To tease good-naturedly.
Related Idioms
- Trêu chọc như mèo vờn chuột: To tease like a cat playing with a mouse; to torment someone playfully before a final action.
- Cậu ấy trêu chọc bạn như mèo vờn chuột. (He teased his friend like a cat playing with a mouse.)