gượng ghẹ
Definition
- Adverb:
- Gently and carefully: Describes handling something with deliberate care, lightness, and caution to avoid damage or breakage, often due to its fragility or delicate nature.
- In a gingerly manner: Performing an action with great caution and a light touch, often because the object is sensitive, valuable, or easily broken.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Hãy bế em bé một cách gượng ghẽ. (Hold the baby gently and carefully.)
- Anh ấy gượng ghẽ đặt chiếc bình cổ xuống bàn. (He gingerly placed the antique vase on the table.)
- Cô ấy mở gói quà một cách gượng ghẽ để không làm rách giấy. (She opened the gift gently and carefully so as not to tear the paper.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to emphasize the combination of physical lightness and mental attentiveness required when handling delicate situations or objects.
- It can describe not only physical actions but also metaphorical handling, such as approaching a sensitive topic in conversation with tact.
Variants and Related Words
- Gượng (adj/adv): Awkward, forced; or to do something with effort while trying to appear natural. Note: While related, "gượng" often implies strain or awkwardness, whereas "gượng ghẽ" specifically emphasizes careful gentleness.
- Anh ấy cười gượng. (He gave a forced smile.)
Synonyms
- Gently: With a mild, kind, or tender manner.
- Carefully: With attention to avoid harm or error.
- Gingerly: With great care or caution to avoid causing damage.
Related Idioms
- While "gượng ghẽ" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it conveys a similar sense of meticulous care as found in the English idiom "handle with kid gloves."