Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To hold off, to wait, to not act immediately: "Khoan tay" is an imperative phrase used to tell someone to pause, delay, or refrain from starting an action right away. It advises caution and patience.
   • To take it easy (in the context of pausing an action): It can be translated as "take it easy" when the meaning is specifically to relax and not rush into doing something.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Khoan tay đã, để tôi kiểm tra lại đã. (Hold off for a moment, let me double-check first.)
  • Mọi người khoan tay, chúng ta cần thảo luận thêm. (Everyone, hold your horses, we need to discuss further.)
  • Hãy khoan tay, chưa chuẩn bị xong. (Take it easy / Hold on, we are not ready yet.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khoan tay đã": A very common, slightly softened imperative meaning "Hold on a moment / Not so fast."

  • Khoan tay đã, cậu định làm gì thế? (Hold on a second, what are you planning to do?)

• Used to de-escalate a situation: The phrase is often used to prevent a hasty or rash action, especially in moments of conflict or excitement.

  • Anh khoan tay! Đánh nhau không giải quyết được gì đâu. (Hold it right there! Fighting won't solve anything.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khoan (verb): To drill; to postpone, to delay. The core meaning in "khoan tay" comes from this secondary sense of "to delay."
  • Khoan đã: (Just) wait a minute / hold on. (A more general phrase than "khoan tay").
• Đừng vội (verb phrase): Don't rush. (A close synonym in meaning).
• Từ từ (adv): Slowly, gradually. (Often used in a similar context to advise caution).

Synonyms

• Chờ đã: Wait a minute.
• Đợi đã: Hold on.
• Đừng hấp tấp: Don't be hasty.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khoan đã: To hold on, to wait a minute. (The most common and direct variant).
  • Khoan đã, tôi có ý này. (Hold on, I have an idea.)

Related Idioms

• Khoan thư sức dân: (Classical idiom) To allow the people to rest and recuperate. This uses "khoan" in its classical sense of "to relieve, to be lenient," sharing the core idea of pausing exertion.
• Dục tốc bất đạt: (Sino-Vietnamese idiom) Haste makes waste. This conveys a similar philosophical idea against rushing, though it's not a direct synonym.

1. Take it easy
   • Hãy khoan tay chưa chuẩn bị xong
     Take it easy, we are not ready