Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Lightly, softly, gently: Describes an action performed with very little force, pressure, or sound; in a delicate, careful, and quiet manner.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Cô ấy khẽ khàng đóng cửa để không đánh thức ai. (She closed the door gently so as not to wake anyone.)
  • Anh ấy khẽ khàng chạm vào vai tôi. (He touched my shoulder lightly.)
  • Mẹ hát ru khẽ khàng cho em bé ngủ. (The mother sang a lullaby softly to the baby.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói khẽ khàng": to speak softly, in a low voice.
  • Cô giáo nói khẽ khàng với học sinh. (The teacher spoke softly to the student.)
• "bước đi khẽ khàng": to walk softly/lightly.
  • Tôi bước đi khẽ khàng trên sàn gỗ. (I walked lightly on the wooden floor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khẽ (adv): A shorter, more common form meaning "lightly" or "softly." It is often interchangeable with "khẽ khàng" but can sound slightly less descriptive.
  • Cười khẽ. (To laugh softly.)
• Nhẹ nhàng (adj/adv): Gently, softly, mildly. While similar, "nhẹ nhàng" often carries a stronger connotation of gentleness in manner or character, not just in physical action or sound.
  • Cô ấy là một người rất nhẹ nhàng. (She is a very gentle person.)

Synonyms

• Nhẹ nhàng: gently, softly (often interchangeable in many contexts).
• Êm ái: softly, smoothly (often for sound or touch).
• Dịu dàng: gently, tenderly (often for manner or voice).

Related Phrases

• Một cách khẽ khàng: in a gentle/soft manner (adverbial phrase).
  • Cô ấy vuốt tóc con một cách khẽ khàng. (She stroked the child's hair in a gentle manner.)

Related Idioms

Note: "Khẽ khàng" itself is not typically part of fixed idioms, but it is used to describe actions within idiomatic contexts. - Giữ ý tứ, khẽ khàng: To be discreet and gentle (describing careful behavior). - Khi vào phòng có người ngủ, hãy giữ ý tứ và đi lại khẽ khàng. (When entering a room where someone is sleeping, be discreet and move quietly.)

1. Lightly, softly, gently