Definition

1. Verb:
   • To show a conciliatory attitude; to become conciliatory: The act of adopting a softer, more appeasing, or placating manner, typically after an outburst of anger, a heated argument, or a conflict. It implies an attempt to smooth things over and restore harmony.
   • To moderate oneself; to temper oneself: To consciously make one's own behavior, tone, or attitude less intense, aggressive, or harsh.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau khi quát tháo ầm ĩ, anh ta đấu dịu. (After blustering noisily, he showed a conciliatory attitude.)
  • Cô ấy vừa cãi nhau với mẹ xong liền đấu dịu ngay. (Right after arguing with her mother, she immediately became conciliatory.)
  • Thấy vợ buồn, anh ấy biết là phải đấu dịu. (Seeing his wife was sad, he knew he had to show a conciliatory attitude.)

Advanced Usage

• "đấu dịu" as a strategic social action: The term often describes a calculated social move to de-escalate tension. It is not merely an apology but a shift in overall demeanor from confrontation to appeasement.
  • Sau cuộc họp căng thẳng, giám đốc đấu dịu bằng cách mời mọi người đi uống cà phê. (After the tense meeting, the director showed a conciliatory attitude by inviting everyone for coffee.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dịu dàng (adj): gentle, soft, tender. (Describes a naturally gentle character or manner.)
• Làm dịu (verb phrase): to soothe, to calm, to appease. (The action of calming someone or something else down.)
• Hạ giọng (verb phrase): to lower one's voice/tone. (A specific action that is often part of "đấu dịu".)

Synonyms

• Xuống nước (verb): To back down, to yield (in an argument). Often used interchangeably with "đấu dịu" in the context of ending a quarrel.
• Nhượng bộ (verb): To make a concession, to compromise.
• Làm lành (verb): To make peace, to reconcile.

Related Phrases / Idiomatic Nuances

• "Cứng rồi lại mềm": (To be hard and then become soft). This saying captures the essence of "đấu dịu" — being tough or angry first, then softening one's stance.
• The concept is deeply tied to maintaining social harmony ("giữ hòa khí") and face ("thể diện") in Vietnamese culture. "Đấu dịu" is a recognized step in conflict resolution to avoid lasting discord.

1. Show a conciliatory attitude (after aa fit of temper, a quarrel...)
   • Sau khi quát tháo ầm ĩ, anh ta đấu dịu
     After blustering noisily, he show a conciliatory attitudee