tìm hỏi
Definition
- Verb:
- To inquire / To ask around: The primary meaning of "tìm hỏi" is to actively seek someone out in order to ask them questions or to gather information by asking various people.
- To seek information: It describes the specific action of looking for and obtaining information through direct questioning.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Tôi phải đi tìm hỏi hàng xóm về chuyện đó. (I had to go ask the neighbors about that matter.)
- Cô ấy tìm hỏi khắp nơi để biết địa chỉ của bác sĩ. (She inquired everywhere to find the doctor's address.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a process that involves both the physical or purposeful search ("tìm") for the right person and the act of questioning ("hỏi") them. It is commonly used in contexts where information is not readily available and requires effort to obtain.
Variants and Related Words
- Hỏi thăm (v): to ask after someone, to inquire about someone's well-being.
- Anh ấy gọi điện để hỏi thăm sức khỏe ông bà. (He called to ask after his grandparents' health.)
- Điều tra (v): to investigate, a more formal and systematic process of inquiry.
- Cảnh sát đang điều tra vụ án. (The police are investigating the case.)
Synonyms
- Inquire: to seek information by questioning.
- Ask around: to ask several people in order to get information.
Related Idioms
- Tìm người, hỏi số: To look for someone and ask for their number. This phrase emphasizes the determined search for contact information or a specific person.
- Muốn liên lạc với anh ta khó lắm, phải tìm người hỏi số. (It's hard to contact him; you have to find people and ask for his number.)