trêu

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "trêu" is a verb that means "to tease" or "to nettle." It refers to the action of playfully making fun of someone, often in a light-hearted way, but it can sometimes also imply a bit of annoyance or provocation.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "trêu" when talking about joking with friends or playfully mocking someone in a friendly manner.
• It's important to be aware of the context and the feelings of the person you are teasing; if done in a good spirit, it can be fun, but if done too harshly, it might hurt someone's feelings.

Examples:

1. Friendly teasing:

   • "Tôi thường trêu bạn mình về cách ăn mặc của họ." (I often tease my friend about their fashion choices.)

2. Playful scenario:

   • "Cô ấy trêu anh ấy vì anh ấy thích xem phim hoạt hình." (She teases him because he likes watching cartoons.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Trêu" can also be used in a more sarcastic or ironic context. For example, if someone is pretending to tease but is actually making a serious point, you might say:
  • "Anh ấy không chỉ trêu, mà còn có ý kiến nghiêm túc về vấn đề này." (He's not just teasing; he also has a serious opinion about this issue.)

Word Variants:

• Trêu chọc: This is a more playful or teasing variant, suggesting a light-hearted form of teasing.
• Bị trêu: This means "to be teased," referring to the situation where someone is the target of teasing.

Different Meanings:

• In some contexts, "trêu" can also imply "to provoke" or "to incite," especially if the teasing is intended to elicit a strong reaction from someone.

Synonyms:

• Chọc: This is another word for "to poke fun at" or "to tease."
• Đùa: This means "to joke" and can be used in similar contexts to "trêu," but it might be less focused on the teasing aspect.

Summary:

"Trêu" is a versatile verb in Vietnamese that captures the playful spirit of teasing.

Academic

verb

1. to tease; to nettle