tí chút
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A very small amount; a tiny bit; a little bit. This word is used informally to indicate a very small quantity of something, often something uncountable or abstract.
Usage
- Used to indicate a very small quantity: "tí chút" is placed before a noun to specify that there is only a very small amount of it.
- Cho tôi tí chút đường. (Give me a tiny bit of sugar.)
- Chỉ còn tí chút cơm thôi. (There's only a very little bit of rice left.)
- Used to soften a request or statement: It can make a request sound more polite or modest.
- Anh có thể giúp tôi tí chút được không? (Could you help me a little bit?)
- Tôi chỉ biết tí chút tiếng Anh. (I only know a little bit of English.)
Examples
- (She only ate a tiny bit of soup.)
- (Please add a little bit more salt to the soup.)
- (Wait for me just a little bit!)
- (I need to borrow a little bit of money from you.)
Advanced Usage
- "một tí chút": This is a common variant that emphasizes the smallness even more, translating to "just a tiny little bit."
- Uống một tí chút rượu vang thôi. (Drink just a tiny little bit of wine.)
- Used for abstract concepts: It can be used with abstract nouns like time, effort, or patience.
- Chúng ta cần tí chút kiên nhẫn. (We need a little bit of patience.)
- Dự án này đòi hỏi tí chút sáng tạo. (This project requires a little bit of creativity.)
Variants and Related Words
- chút (noun): A bit, a little. Slightly more formal than "tí chút."
- chút thời gian (a bit of time)
- chút ít (noun): A little bit, a small amount. Similar in meaning and formality to "tí chút."
- chút ít kinh nghiệm (a little bit of experience)
- tí (noun): A tiny bit, a wee bit. Very informal, often used by children or in casual speech.
- tí muối (a wee bit of salt)
- một chút (noun): A little bit. A common and neutral phrase.
- một chút nước (a little bit of water)
Synonyms
- một ít: some, a little.
- một lượng nhỏ: a small amount.
- chút xíu (informal): a tiny bit, a smidgen.
Notes on Meaning
- Informal Register: "Tí chút" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and informal writing. In more formal contexts, "một chút" or "chút" is preferred.
- Emphasis on Smallness: The word strongly emphasizes that the quantity is minimal, often less than what "một chút" implies.
- No Direct Phrasal Verbs or Idioms: As a noun phrase indicating quantity, "tí chút" does not form phrasal verbs or specific idioms. Its usage is consistent in modifying nouns.