Definition

Verb: - To irritate, to provoke, to tease (in an annoying way): The act of deliberately saying or doing something to bother, annoy, or anger someone, often in a teasing or provocative manner. It implies causing mild to moderate anger or frustration.

Usage

• The verb trêu tức describes an intentional action aimed at getting a negative emotional reaction (irritation, anger) from someone.
• It is often used in contexts of personal interactions, such as among friends, siblings, or rivals.
• It carries a negative connotation, implying the action is bothersome or provocative.

Examples

• (Stop irritating your little brother; he's about to cry.)
• (He likes to provoke me with sarcastic remarks.)
• (The act of taunting an opponent can lead to conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• "trêu tức ai đó": to irritate/provoke someone.
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy bị trêu tức bởi những câu hỏi liên tục của họ. (She felt provoked by their persistent questions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trêu (verb): to tease, to joke (can be lighter and more playful than "trêu tức").
• Khiêu khích (verb): to挑衅, to挑衅 (often stronger, more serious, and can imply incitement to conflict).
• Chọc tức (verb): to annoy, to needle (very similar in meaning to "trêu tức").

Synonyms

• Chọc ghẹo: to tease, to poke fun at.
• Làm bực mình: to annoy, to bother.
• Kích động: to agitate, to incite (usually stronger).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a single Vietnamese verb, "trêu tức" does not have phrasal verb forms. Its meaning is conveyed through the verb itself combined with objects.

Related Idioms

• Trêu chó cắn áo rách: Literally "tease a dog and get your torn shirt bitten"; meaning to provoke trouble and suffer the consequences.
  • Anh đừng có trêu tức nó, trêu chó cắn áo rách đấy. (Don't provoke him; you're asking for trouble.)

verb

1. to irritate