khẽ
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- Gently; softly; lightly: Describes an action performed with minimal force, sound, or movement, so as not to disturb the surrounding quiet or peace.
- Slightly; a little bit: Can indicate a very small degree or amount of an action.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Cô ấy khẽ gật đầu đồng ý. (She gently nodded in agreement.)
- Xin hãy nói khẽ thôi, em bé đang ngủ. (Please speak softly, the baby is sleeping.)
- Anh ấy khẽ chạm vào vai tôi. (He lightly touched my shoulder.)
- Cánh cửa khẽ mở. (The door opened slightly.)
Advanced Usage
"khẽ khàng": An adverbial variant with a slightly more descriptive or literary tone, also meaning gently or carefully.
- Bà khẽ khàng đặt chén trà xuống bàn. (She gently placed the teacup on the table.)
"khe khẽ": A reduplicated form (láy từ) used for emphasis, meaning very gently or very softly.
- Hát khe khẽ một mình. (Singing very softly to oneself.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nhẹ (adj/adv): Light; gently. While similar, is more general (light in weight, gentle in action), whereas specifically emphasizes quietness or subtlety of action to avoid disturbance.
- Êm (adj): Soft, smooth, gentle (often for surfaces, sounds, or rides).
- Khẽ khàng (adv): Gently, carefully (as above).
Synonyms
- Nhẹ nhàng: Gently, softly (often with a connotation of care and tenderness).
- Êm ái: Softly, gently (often for sounds or touches).
- Lặng lẽ: Quietly, silently (focuses more on the absence of sound).
Related Phrases
Nói khẽ: To speak softly/in a low voice.
- Trong thư viện, mọi người đều phải nói khẽ. (In the library, everyone must speak softly.)
Cười khẽ: To chuckle softly; to give a slight laugh.
- Nghe câu chuyện đó, cô ấy chỉ cười khẽ. (Hearing that story, she only chuckled softly.)
Khẽ thở dài: To sigh lightly/softly.
- Chán nản, nó khẽ thở dài. (Feeling discouraged, he sighed lightly.)
adj
- gently; softly
- nói khẽto speak gently