Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flirt / to court: The primary meaning of "tán tỉnh" is to act in a playful, charming, or persuasive way towards someone you are romantically or sexually interested in, with the aim of attracting them or winning their affection.
   • To sweet-talk / to wheedle: It also means to use flattering, smooth, or coaxing words to persuade someone, often for a specific purpose, which may not always be romantic.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh chàng đó đang cố tán tỉnh bạn tôi. (That guy is trying to flirt with my friend.)
  • Cô ấy không thích bị tán tỉnh nơi công sở. (She doesn't like being courted in the workplace.)
  • Hắn ta tán tỉnh bà chủ chỉ để được thăng chức. (He sweet-talked the boss just to get a promotion.)

Advanced Usage

• The object of "tán tỉnh" is always a person. The action involves verbal skill, charm, and persistence.
• It often implies a one-sided or initial stage of romantic pursuit. The person being "tán tỉnh" may or may not be receptive.
• "tán gẫu": to chat casually. This is a distinct, non-romantic word for chatting and is not a variant of "tán tỉnh".

Variants and Related Words

• Ve vãn (v): to flirt, to court. This is a very close synonym, often used together with "tán tỉnh" (e.g., ).
• Tán (v, colloquial): a shortened, very common slang form of "tán tỉnh".
  • Nó đang tán một cô gái người Pháp. (He's hitting on a French girl.)

Synonyms

• Flirt: to behave as if romantically interested in someone.
• Court: to try to win the affection or love of someone.
• Sweet-talk: to use flattery or charming words to persuade.
• Woo: (more formal/literary) to seek the affection of someone.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Tán tỉnh thả thính: A modern slang phrase combining "tán tỉnh" (to flirt) and "thả thính" (literally: to cast fishing bait), meaning to flirt or drop hints to attract someone's interest.
  • Anh ấy giỏi tán tỉnh thả thính trên mạng xã hội. (He's good at flirting and dropping hints on social media.)

verb

1. to wheedle. to court, to flirt