Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take leave by kowtowing; to bid farewell respectfully: "bái biệt" refers to the formal act of saying goodbye, typically performed with a deep, respectful bow or the traditional Vietnamese gesture of placing hands together and raising them to the forehead. It implies a high degree of reverence and formality, often used towards elders, superiors, or in solemn contexts.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau buổi lễ, các học trò đến bái biệt thầy giáo. (After the ceremony, the students came to bid farewell respectfully to their teacher.)
  • Trước khi lên đường, chàng trai vào điện bái biệt tổ tiên. (Before setting off on his journey, the young man entered the temple to take respectful leave of his ancestors.)

Advanced Usage

• "bái biệt" in Classical & Literary Contexts: This term is predominantly used in formal, literary, or historical contexts. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation in modern Vietnamese, where "chào tạm biệt" is standard.
  • Nhân vật trong tiểu thuyết cổ trang thường bái biệt nhau trước những cuộc ly biệt dài. (Characters in classical novels often bid each other formal farewell before long separations.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bái lạy (verb): To prostrate oneself in worship or deep respect; a more extreme act of reverence than "bái biệt."
• Từ biệt (verb): To bid farewell; to take leave. This is a formal synonym but does not inherently carry the specific ceremonial connotation of "bái biệt."
• Chào tạm biệt (verb phrase): To say goodbye. This is the common, neutral phrase for everyday use.

Synonyms

• Từ giã (verb): To take leave; to say farewell (formal).
• Cáo biệt (verb): To announce one's departure; to take formal leave (very formal/literary).

Related Phrases

• Làm lễ bái biệt: To perform a farewell ceremony.
  • Gia đình đã làm lễ bái biệt ông cụ trước khi tiễn đưa. (The family performed a farewell ceremony for the elderly gentleman before seeing him off.)

Related Idioms

• While "bái biệt" itself is not typically part of a common idiom, the concept is central to formal parting phrases in classical literature, such as:
  • "Xin được bái biệt ngài." (I respectfully ask to take my leave from you, sir.)

verb

1. To take leave by kowtowing