Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Showing deep respect, profoundly respectful: Describes an attitude or behavior that demonstrates sincere reverence, deference, and high regard, often in formal or solemn situations.
   • With reverence, respectfully: Used to characterize an action performed in a manner that shows great esteem and veneration.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy đứng dậy chào một cách kính cẩn. (He stood up to greet in a profoundly respectful manner.)
  • Các học trò lắng nghe lời thầy giáo với thái độ kính cẩn. (The students listened to their teacher's words with a reverent attitude.)
  • Họ kính cẩn nghiêng mình trước bàn thờ. (They bowed respectfully before the altar.)

Advanced Usage

• "kính cẩn thưa": to say respectfully, to address with deference.

  • Cậu bé kính cẩn thưa với ông nội. (The boy addressed his grandfather respectfully.)

• "kính cẩn dâng lên": to present or offer up with reverence.

  • Người dân kính cẩn dâng lễ vật lên đền thờ. (The people reverently presented offerings at the temple.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kính trọng (v): to respect, to hold in high esteem. This is the root verb from which "kính cẩn" is derived, emphasizing the feeling of respect.

  • Học sinh phải kính trọng thầy cô giáo. (Students must respect their teachers.)

• Cung kính (adj): reverent, deferential. A close synonym, often used in similar formal or ritual contexts.

  • Thái độ cung kính của anh ấy được mọi người ghi nhận. (His reverent attitude was noted by everyone.)

Synonyms

• Respectful: showing politeness or honor.
• Reverent: feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
• Deferential: showing humility and submission to the judgment of another.

Related Idioms

• Kính trên nhường dưới: A principle meaning to respect those above (in age, position) and yield to those below, promoting general social harmony and respect.

  • Gia đình ấy sống theo đạo lý kính trên nhường dưới. (That family lives by the principle of respecting elders and yielding to juniors.)

• Kính lão đắc thọ: An idiom meaning "respecting the elderly brings longevity," highlighting the cultural value of reverence for elders.

  • Ông ta thường nhắc nhở con cháu câu "kính lão đắc thọ". (He often reminded his descendants of the saying "respecting the elderly brings longevity.")

1. Showing deep respect, profoundly respectful