Definition

1. Verb:
   • To eat or to drink (polite/invitational): A polite and slightly formal term used to invite someone to partake in food or drink. It is more respectful than "ăn" (to eat) or "uống" (to drink).
   • To annihilate or wipe out (slang, military): In informal contexts, particularly related to conflict, it means to completely destroy or eliminate an enemy force.
   • To receive or get (something negative, slang): Colloquially, it means to be on the receiving end of something unpleasant, such as a beating or punishment.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to eat/drink):

  • Mời mọi người xơi cơm. (Please, everyone, eat the meal.)
  • Mời bác xơi trà. (Please have some tea.)

• Verb (to annihilate):

  • Đơn vị ta xơi gọn một tiểu đoàn địch. (Our unit wiped out an entire enemy battalion.)

• Verb (to receive something negative):

  • Nó xơi một trận đòn. (He got a beating.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in the imperative form "Mời... xơi..." as a set phrase for offering food or drink politely.
• In military or competitive slang, "xơi gọn" is a common phrase meaning "to clean up" or "to finish off neatly and completely."

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn: The standard, neutral verb for "to eat." "Xơi" is its more formal/polite counterpart in invitation contexts.
• Dùng: A formal verb for "to use" or "to partake," sometimes used similarly in "Mời dùng bữa" (Please dine).

Synonyms

• Partake: To join in consuming (food/drink).
• Consume: To eat or drink.
• Annihilate: To destroy completely.
• Receive: To be given or subjected to something.

Related Idioms

• Xơi tái: To "eat rare," meaning to defeat or handle someone quickly and decisively, often before they can react.
  • Đối thủ bị xơi tái chỉ trong một hiệp. (The opponent was finished off in just one round.)