Definition

1. Verb:
   • To keep; to retain: To have something in one's possession or care, ensuring it is not lost or given away.
   • To guard; to protect: To watch over and defend something or someone from harm or danger.
   • To hold; to maintain: To cause something to remain in a particular state, position, or condition.
   • To observe; to abide by: To adhere to a promise, rule, or tradition.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy giữ cuốn sách này rất cẩn thận. (He keeps this book very carefully.)
  • Vệ sĩ có nhiệm vụ giữ an toàn cho nguyên thủ. (The bodyguard's duty is to guard the safety of the dignitary.)
  • Cô ấy luôn giữ nhà cửa sạch sẽ. (She always keeps the house clean.)
  • Bạn phải giữ lời hứa. (You must keep your promise.)

Advanced Usage

• "giữ chân": to retain, to keep someone from leaving (e.g., an employee).

  • Công ty tìm mọi cách để giữ chân nhân tài. (The company tries every way to retain talent.)

• "giữ thể diện": to save face, to maintain one's dignity or reputation.

  • Anh ấy đồng ý chỉ để giữ thể diện. (He agreed just to save face.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gìn giữ (v): to preserve, to cherish and protect.

  • Chúng ta phải gìn giữ di sản văn hóa. (We must preserve our cultural heritage.)

• Canh giữ (v): to guard, to stand watch over.

  • Người lính canh giữ cổng thành. (The soldier guards the city gate.)

• Giữ gìn (v): to take care of, to maintain (often used for health or morality).

  • Giữ gìn sức khỏe là rất quan trọng. (Taking care of your health is very important.)

Synonyms

• Keep: to retain possession of.
• Guard: to protect from harm.
• Maintain: to cause to continue.
• Preserve: to keep safe from injury or decay.
• Retain: to continue to have.

Related Idioms

• Giữ mồm giữ miệng: to hold one's tongue, to be careful about what one says.

  • Trong cuộc họp, anh ta biết cách giữ mồm giữ miệng. (In the meeting, he knew how to hold his tongue.)

• Giữ ý: to be tactful, to be mindful of others' feelings.

  • Cô ấy rất biết giữ ý khi phát biểu. (She is very tactful when she speaks.)

verb

1. to keep; to guard; to retain; to hold; to maintain
   • giữ hòa thuận với người nào
     to hold in with someone