Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Gingerly, carefully, delicately: Describes an action performed with great care, caution, and a light touch, often to avoid damage, noise, or offense.
   • Mildly, without severity: Describes a manner of criticism, reprimand, or action that is deliberately softened, not harsh or forceful.

2. Verb (used as a compound verb 'gượng nhẹ'):

   • To handle gingerly; to treat with care: To make an effort to handle something or act in a very careful, gentle manner.
   • To criticize mildly; to go easy on: To intentionally soften one's criticism or approach towards someone or something.

Usage Examples

• As an Adverb:

  • Cô ấy gượng nhẹ đặt chiếc bình cổ xuống bàn. (She gingerly placed the antique vase on the table.)
  • Giám đốc chỉ phê bình gượng nhẹ vì anh ấy là nhân viên mới. (The director only criticized him mildly because he is a new employee.)

• As part of a compound verb phrase:

  • Hãy gượng nhẹ khi cầm món đồ này, nó rất dễ vỡ. (Please handle this item gingerly; it is very fragile.)
  • Thầy giáo đã gượng nhẹ với học sinh vi phạm lần đầu. (The teacher went easy on the student who broke the rule for the first time.)

Advanced Usage

• Implied effort: The word "gượng" within "gượng nhẹ" implies a conscious effort or strain to achieve the "nhẹ" (light/gentle) action. It suggests the natural tendency might be to act more forcefully, but the person is restraining themselves.
  • Dù rất tức giận, anh ấy vẫn nói gượng nhẹ. (Even though he was very angry, he still spoke with forced mildness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhẹ nhàng (adj/adv): Gentle, gently. This is a more common and general term for gentleness without the connotation of forced effort present in "gượng nhẹ".
• Cẩn thận (adj/adv): Careful, carefully. Focuses on caution and attention.
• Gượng (verb): To force oneself; to do something with difficulty or against one's natural inclination. This is the root conveying the sense of strain in "gượng nhẹ".
• Gượng gạo (adj): Forced, strained, unnatural (often describing a smile or manner).

Synonyms

• Cẩn thận (adv): Carefully.
• Khéo léo (adv): Dexterously, skillfully.
• Dịu dàng (adv): Gently, softly (often for speech or manner).
• Ôn tồn (adv): Mildly, calmly (often for speech).

Related Phrases (Verb Phrases)

• Gượng nhẹ tay: To handle with a gentle/light hand.
  • Gượng nhẹ tay kẻo hỏng. (Handle it with a light hand or it will break.)
• Nói gượng nhẹ: To speak mildly/softly (with effort).
  • Cô ấy nói gượng nhẹ để không làm đứa trẻ sợ. (She spoke softly so as not to frighten the child.)

Related Idioms

• (Không có a direct, common idiom using "gượng nhẹ". Its meaning is often conveyed in the phrases above.)

adj

1. gingerly