chọi

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The Vietnamese word "chọi" is a versatile verb that can be understood in several contexts. Its primary meanings are related to the actions of clinking, confronting, or fighting.

Basic Meanings:

1. To Clink or Bump:

   • Example: "Chọi hai hòn đá vào nhau" means "to clink two bits of stone together." This usage implies a gentle or playful interaction between objects.

2. To Confront or Face Off:

   • Example: "Một chọi mười" translates to "one force confronted by a ten-time superior force." This expression is used to describe a situation where one entity faces a much stronger opponent.

3. To Fight:

   • Example: "Gà chọi nhau" means "the two cocks fought." This phrase is commonly used when discussing animal fights, such as cockfighting.
   • Example: "Trẻ con chọi dế" means "the children made their crickets fight," indicating a playful activity among kids.

4. Strictly Symmetrical:

   • Example: "Hai câu chọi nhau từng chữ một" means "the two sentences are strictly symmetrical word for word." This usage is often found in poetry or literary analysis.

Cultural Context:

• Chọi Trâu (Buffalo Fighting): This is a traditional festival held annually on the 10th day of the eighth lunar month in Đồ Sơn, Hải Phòng. Villagers select strong buffaloes from different villages to compete against each other. The winning buffalo is celebrated and often paraded back to the village, while all participating buffaloes are eventually sacrificed as offerings to the deities.

Advanced Usage:

In literature or poetry, "chọi" can be used metaphorically to describe conflict or opposition in broader contexts, such as ideas, emotions, or social situations.

Word Variants:

• The word "chọi" can be combined with other words to form phrases that describe specific types of confrontations or competitions, such as "chọi gà" (cockfighting) or "chọi trâu" (buffalo fighting).

Synonyms:

• Đánh nhau: to fight (more general and can refer to human combat)
• Đối đầu: to confront or face off (often used in a more serious context)

Summary:

"Chọi" is a dynamic verb in Vietnamese that can refer to clinking, confronting, or fighting, with cultural significance in festivals like buffalo fighting.

Academic

verb

1. To clink, to bump
   • chọi hai hòn đá vào nhau
     to clink two bits of stone
2. To front, to confront
   • một chọi mười
     one force confronted to a ten-time superior one
3. To fight, to make fight
   • gà chọi nhau
     the two cocks fought
   • trẻ con chọi dế
     the children made their crickets fight
4. To be strictly symmetrical (of style)
   • hai câu chọi nhau từng chữ một
     the two sentences are strictly symmetrical word for word
   • Chọi trâu diễn ra ở Đồ Sơn (Hải Phòng) vào ngày 10 tháng 8. Tục ngữ có câu: "Dù ai buôn đâu bán đâu, Mồng 10 tháng 8 chọi trâu thì về".14 con trâu khỏe của 14 thôn trong tổng được lựa chọn kỹ để đấu từng đôi một. Làng có trâu thắng trận được thưởng, và trâu thắng trận được rước về sân đình. Sau cuộc đấu, các con trâu dự thi đều được mổ thịt tế thần
     Chọi trâu (Buffalo-fighting festival) is annually held on the 10th of the lunar eighth month in Đồ Sơn (Hải Phòng City). It results in