xỉa
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To pick (one's teeth): The primary meaning of "xỉa" is to clean between one's teeth using a toothpick or similar object.
- To poke or jab (with a pointed object): To use a pointed instrument to poke at something, often repeatedly.
- To point (aggressively): To thrust one's finger, especially the index finger, towards someone in an accusatory or aggressive manner.
- To pay out / to dish out (money): To hand over money, typically in small amounts or in a reluctant, piecemeal fashion.
Verb (extended usage):
- To meddle (in): To interfere in a matter that does not concern oneself.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Sau bữa ăn, ông ấy thường xỉa răng. (After a meal, he often picks his teeth.)
- Đứa trẻ dùng que tre để xỉa vào tổ kiến. (The child used a bamboo stick to poke at the ant nest.)
- Bà ta tức giận, xỉa tay vào mặt tôi mà mắng. (She was angry, pointing her finger in my face and yelling.)
- Cuối cùng anh ta cũng xỉa tiền ra trả. (He finally dished out the money to pay.)
Advanced Usage
- "xỉa vào": to interfere in, to meddle in.
- Đây là chuyện của tôi, đừng xỉa vào. (This is my business, don't meddle in it.)
Variants and Related Words
- Xỉa răng (v): to pick one's teeth.
- Xỉa răng bằng tăm tre. (To pick one's teeth with a bamboo toothpick.)
Synonyms
- To pick: (for teeth).
- To poke / to jab: to prod with something sharp.
- To point (accusingly): to indicate with a finger.
- To pay out: to hand over money.
Related Idioms
- Xỉa răng cọp (idiom, humorous): Literally "to pick a tiger's teeth," meaning to do something pointless, futile, or unnecessary.
- Yêu cầu đó chẳng khác nào xỉa răng cọp. (That request is like picking a tiger's teeth—completely futile.)