Definition

Verb: 1. To lower one's voice: To speak more softly or quietly than before. 2. To tone down (one's speech): To speak in a less forceful, aggressive, or confrontational manner; to moderate one's tone, often to show deference, submission, or a desire to de-escalate a situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Khi vào thư viện, bạn nên hạ giọng. (When entering the library, you should lower your voice.)
  • Sau khi bị phản đối, anh ấy đã hạ giọng và xin lỗi. (After being opposed, he toned down and apologized.)
  • Cô giáo hạ giọng nói chuyện với học sinh nhỏ. (The teacher lowered her voice to talk to the young student.)

Advanced Usage

• "hạ giọng cầu xin": to beg in a pleading, subdued tone.
  • Kẻ trộm hạ giọng cầu xin được tha. (The thief begged in a pleading tone to be let go.)
• "hạ giọng xuống": to lower one's voice (emphasizing the downward change).
  • Mọi người đang ngủ, hãy hạ giọng xuống. (Everyone is sleeping, please lower your voice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nói nhỏ (verb phrase): to speak softly/quietly. (Focuses more on volume than on attitude).
• Dịu giọng (verb): to soften one's tone. (Similar in meaning to "tone down," often implying becoming gentler).
• Hạ thấp giọng (verb phrase): synonymous with "hạ giọng," emphasizing lowering.

Synonyms

• Nói khẽ: to speak in a whisper/low voice.
• Nhún nhường (in attitude): to be humble, to yield. (Describes the submissive attitude often accompanying "hạ giọng").

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a verb-object compound, "hạ giọng" itself functions like a phrasal verb. - Xuống giọng: This is a direct synonym for "hạ giọng," meaning to lower or soften one's tone. - Thấy đối phương tức giận, anh ta vội xuống giọng. (Seeing the other party angry, he quickly toned down.)

Related Idioms

• Cao giọng / Lên giọng: (To raise one's voice/tone). This is the direct opposite of "hạ giọng," meaning to speak in a louder, more arrogant, or confrontational manner.
  • Đừng có cao giọng với tôi! (Don't you raise your voice/talk down to me!)

verb

1. to speak down, to tone down