Definition

1. Verb phrase: - To watch over, to keep an eye on: The phrase "để mắt" means to pay attention to, to watch over, or to supervise someone or something, often with care and vigilance to ensure their well-being or proper development.

Usage

• The phrase "để mắt" is used to indicate attentive observation or supervision. It is often followed by the preposition "đến" (to, on) to specify the object of attention.
• It implies a sense of responsibility, care, or protective interest in the person or thing being watched.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Bà ấy luôn để mắt đến những đứa trẻ khi chúng chơi trong công viên. (She always keeps an eye on the children when they play in the park.)
  • Anh ấy hứa sẽ để mắt đến căn nhà cho chúng tôi trong kỳ nghỉ. (He promised to watch over the house for us during the vacation.)
  • Để mắt đến việc học của con cái là rất quan trọng. (Keeping a keen eye on one's children's studies is very important.)

Advanced Usage

• "để mắt tới": This variant is often used with the same meaning, emphasizing the direction of one's attention something or someone.
  • Nhà tuyển dụng đang để mắt tới một vài ứng viên tiềm năng. (The recruiter has an eye on a few potential candidates.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trông nom (verb): To look after, to take care of. This is a close synonym but often implies a more hands-on or custodial role.
  • Hãy trông nom em bé giúp tôi một lát. (Please look after the baby for me for a while.)
• Giám sát (verb): To supervise, to monitor. This word carries a stronger connotation of official oversight or control.
  • Giám đốc trực tiếp giám sát dự án mới. (The director directly supervises the new project.)

Synonyms

• Theo dõi: To follow, to monitor.
• Quan tâm: To care for, to be concerned about (though this focuses more on the feeling of care than the act of watching).

Related Phrases

• Để ý: To pay attention to, to notice. This phrase is more general and can refer to simply noticing something, without the strong connotation of protective supervision that "để mắt" carries.
  • Bạn có để ý thời tiết hôm nay lạnh hơn không? (Did you notice the weather is colder today?)

1. Keep a keen eye on
   • Để mắt đến việc học của con cái
     To Keep a keen eye on one's children's studies