Definition

1. Adjective (dialectal, colloquial):
   • Very good and gentle, very kind: Describes a person, typically a woman or girl, who possesses an exceptionally mild, gentle, kind, and virtuous character. The term carries a strong connotation of traditional, demure goodness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy là người hiền khô, lúc nào cũng nhẹ nhàng và tốt bụng. (She is a very kind and gentle person, always soft-spoken and good-hearted.)
  • Con bé hiền khô lắm, chẳng bao giờ cãi lời ai. (That girl is very gentle and good; she never talks back to anyone.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "hiền khô" is primarily used in spoken, colloquial Vietnamese, often in specific regional dialects. It is an emphatic, reinforcing form of the standard adjective "hiền" (gentle/kind). It is somewhat old-fashioned and evokes a traditional ideal of feminine virtue.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiền (adj): gentle, kind, meek. The standard, more commonly used root word.

  • Bà ấy rất hiền. (She is very gentle.)

• Hiền lành (adj): good-natured, gentle and kind.

  • Anh chàng có vẻ ngoài hiền lành. (The guy has a good-natured appearance.)

Synonyms

• Very gentle: extremely mild-mannered.
• Exceedingly kind: possessing great kindness.
• Meek and virtuous: submissive and morally good in a traditional sense.

Related Idioms

• Hiền như bụt: as gentle as a Buddha; extremely gentle and benevolent.

  • Bà ngoại tôi hiền như bụt. (My grandmother is as gentle as a Buddha.)

• Hiền như đất: as gentle as soil; describing someone who is extremely tolerant, patient, and uncomplaining.

  • Chị ấy chịu đựng mọi chuyện, hiền như đất. (She endures everything, gentle as soil.)

1. (tiếng địa phương) Very good and gentle, very kind