Definition

1. 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

1. gently; softly
   • nói khẽ
     to speak gently