Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hold in special regard, to treat with particular respect or consideration: "biệt thị" describes the action of showing distinct or special esteem, care, or deference towards someone, often due to their status, age, or merits.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chúng ta nên biệt thị những người có công với đất nước. (We should hold in special regard those who have contributed to the country.)
  • Trong văn hóa ấy, họ luôn biệt thị các bậc cao niên. (In that culture, they always treat the elderly with particular respect.)

Advanced Usage

• "tỏ lòng biệt thị": to express/show special regard.
  • Anh ấy tỏ lòng biệt thị đối với người thầy cũ. (He expressed his special regard for his old teacher.)

Variants and Related Words

• Biệt đãi (verb): to give special treatment/favor.
  • Không nên biệt đãi bất kỳ học sinh nào trong lớp. (No student in the class should be given special treatment.)
• Kính trọng (verb): to respect, to honor. (A more common and general synonym).
  • Mọi người đều kính trọng ông ấy. (Everyone respects him.)

Synonyms

• Trọng vọng: to hold in high esteem.
• Ưu ái: to favor, to show preferential care (can imply partiality).

Notes on Usage

• Frequency: "Biệt thị" is a formal and somewhat literary word. It is not commonly used in everyday modern spoken Vietnamese. Words like "kính trọng" or "quý trọng" are more frequent.
• Connotation: It carries a positive connotation of deliberate and distinguished respect. It should not be confused with "kỳ thị" (to discriminate against), which has a completely opposite, negative meaning.

1. Hold in high (special) regards