Definition

1. Verb:
   • To instigate, to incite (someone to do something bad): "xúc xiểm" means to deliberately provoke, urge, or incite someone to take harmful actions against another person, often by spreading malicious stories or advice. It implies sowing discord or creating conflict.
   • To maliciously influence: The action involves manipulating someone's feelings or thoughts to turn them against another, typically through whispered accusations or falsehoods.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng nghe lời kẻ xúc xiểm. (Don't listen to the one who instigates.)
  • Hắn ta thường xúc xiểm đồng nghiệp chống lại quản lý. (He often incites colleagues against the manager.)
  • Mâu thuẫn gia đình thường bắt nguồn từ những lời xúc xiểm. (Family conflicts often stem from malicious instigation.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nghe theo lời xúc xiểm": to heed/fall for malicious instigation.

  • Anh ấy đã hủy hoại tình bạn chỉ vì nghe theo lời xúc xiểm. (He ruined the friendship just because he heeded the malicious instigation.)

• "Kẻ xúc xiểm": the instigator, the one who incites trouble.

  • Mọi người nên cảnh giác với những kẻ xúc xiểm trong tập thể. (Everyone should be wary of instigators within the community.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xúi giục (verb): to incite, to egg on. (This is a more common and direct synonym, though "xúc xiểm" often carries a more secretive or whispering connotation.)
• Dèm pha (verb): to backbite, to speak ill of someone behind their back. (Related, as it can be a method of "xúc xiểm".)
• Kích động (verb): to agitate, to stir up. (Focuses more on provoking strong emotions or actions.)

Synonyms

• Instigate: to bring about or initiate (an action or event), often a negative one.
• Incite: to encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).
• Sow discord: to cause disagreement or strife between people.

Related Idioms

• "Xúc xiểm đâm bị thóc, thọc bị gạo": A proverb meaning to stir up trouble between two parties, to pit people against each other through gossip and instigation.
  • Hành động của hắn chẳng khác nào xúc xiểm đâm bị thóc, thọc bị gạo. (His actions are nothing but stirring up trouble between people.)

verb

1. instigate