trêu ngươi

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "trêu ngươi" is a verb that means "to provoke" or "to tease." It refers to the act of playfully mocking or annoying someone, usually in a light-hearted manner.

Basic Usage:

• Meaning: To tease or provoke someone, often for fun, but it can sometimes be annoying.
• Example: "Bạn ấy thường trêu ngươi tôi về việc tôi không biết bơi." (He often teases me about not knowing how to swim.)

Advanced Usage:

In more complex sentences, "trêu ngươi" can be used to describe situations where someone is intentionally trying to provoke a reaction or make someone feel a certain way.

Word Variants:

• Trêu: This word on its own means "to tease" and is often used in similar contexts.
• Ngươi: While it often refers to "you," in this context, it adds a playful or teasing nuance.

Different Meanings:

• While "trêu ngươi" primarily means to tease or provoke, it can also imply making fun of someone in a way that is not meant to be harmful. It's important to be mindful of the context, as teasing can sometimes hurt feelings if not done in a friendly manner.

Synonyms:

• Chọc ghẹo: This also means to tease or poke fun at someone.
• Trêu chọc: Similar to "trêu ngươi," it implies teasing or making fun of someone.

Usage Tips:

• Use "trêu ngươi" in informal contexts, especially among friends or when joking. It's not suitable for serious situations or when talking to someone you don’t know well.
• Be careful with the tone and context when using this word, as it can easily cross the line from playful teasing to hurtful comments if not done properly.

Academic

verb

1. to provoke