Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Gently, softly, quietly: Describes an action performed with very little force, volume, or intensity, making minimal sound or disturbance.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Cô ấy hát khe khẽ cho em bé ngủ. (She sings softly for the baby to sleep.)
  • Anh ấy gõ cửa khe khẽ để không làm phiền ai. (He knocks on the door gently so as not to disturb anyone.)
  • Hãy nói chuyện khe khẽ trong thư viện. (Please talk quietly in the library.)

Advanced Usage

• "cười khe khẽ": to chuckle softly, to give a gentle laugh.

  • Nghe câu chuyện đó, anh ấy chỉ cười khe khẽ. (Hearing that story, he just chuckled softly.)

• "thở khe khẽ": to breathe softly/lightly.

  • Đứa trẻ đã ngủ say và thở khe khẽ. (The child was fast asleep and breathing softly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khẽ (adv): The root word, also meaning gently, softly, lightly. "Khe khẽ" is the reduplicative form (từ láy), which often adds a sense of continuity or emphasis to the gentle quality.

  • Cô ấy khẽ gật đầu đồng ý. (She nodded lightly in agreement.)

• Nhẹ nhàng (adj/adv): Gently, softly, mildly. While similar, "nhẹ nhàng" can describe manner or character (gentle) more broadly, not just sound or force.

  • Cô ấy là một người rất nhẹ nhàng. (She is a very gentle person.)

• Êm ái (adj): Soft, smooth, gentle (often for touch or sound).

  • giọng nói êm ái (a soft voice)

Synonyms

• Nhỏ (adj/adv): Small; when used as an adverb in contexts like "nói nhỏ," it means "to speak in a low voice/quietly."
• Nhẹ (adj/adv): Light; as an adverb, it can mean "lightly" in terms of force or touch.

Antonyms

• To (adj/adv): Loud, loudly.
• Mạnh (adj/adv): Strong, strongly, forcefully.
• Ồn ào (adj): Noisy.

1. xem khẽ (láy)