dè

Definition

Verb:
- To stint; to be sparing: To use something carefully and in small amounts, often to conserve resources.
- To spare; to treat with consideration: To refrain from harming, disturbing, or imposing on someone out of respect or caution.
- To suspect; to expect (especially in negative constructions): To have an anticipation or suspicion about something, often used to express an unexpected outcome.
Adverb:
- Sparingly; frugally: Describes the manner of doing something with careful economy.

Usage Examples

Verb (to stint):
- Cô ấy dè từng đồng để tiết kiệm. (She stints every penny to save money.)
- Phải dè xẻn nước trong mùa khô. (One must use water sparingly during the dry season.)
Verb (to spare/respect):
- Anh ta dè người lớn tuổi, không dám cãi lại. (He spares the elderly, not daring to talk back.)
Verb (to suspect/expect):
- Tôi dè đâu anh ấy lại đến muộn. (Little did I expect he would arrive late.)
Adverb:
- Họ ăn uống rất dè trong thời gian khó khăn. (They eat very sparingly during hard times.)

Advanced Usage

"dè dặt": to be cautious, reserved, or discreet.
- Cô ấy trả lời một cách dè dặt. (She answered in a cautious manner.)
"dè chừng": to be wary of, to watch out for.
- Hãy dè chừng những lời hứa hẹn đó. (Be wary of those promises.)

Variants and Related Words

Dè xẻn (v): to economize, to use frugally.
- Dè xẻn chi tiêu là thói quen tốt. (Economizing on spending is a good habit.)
Dè sẻn (v): a variant form meaning to be stingy or parsimonious.

Synonyms

Related Idioms

Ăn dè ở bủi: to live very frugally and poorly.
- Gia đình ấy đã phải ăn dè ở bủi suốt mấy năm. (That family had to live in frugal poverty for several years.)
Chém tre chẳng dè đầu mặt: (literally: to chop bamboo without sparing the tops) To act without consideration for others' feelings or status.

verb

Khám phá thêm

Các từ liên quan

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "dè"

Từ có nhắc đến "dè"

Proverbs and Idioms