Definition

1. Verb:
   • To admonish, to advise, to counsel: "khuyên bảo" means to speak to someone earnestly, with a caring and sincere attitude, to point out what is right and proper, or to recommend what should or should not be done. It implies guidance given out of goodwill and concern for the other person's benefit.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cha mẹ thường khuyên bảo con cái phải sống lương thiện. (Parents often admonish their children to live honestly.)
  • Cô ấy khuyên bảo tôi nên học thêm ngoại ngữ. (She advised me to study an additional foreign language.)
  • Anh ấy đã khuyên bảo em trai không nên thức khuya. (He counseled his younger brother not to stay up late.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khuyên bảo nhẹ nhàng": to advise gently, to counsel softly.
  • Giáo viên khuyên bảo nhẹ nhàng học sinh mắc lỗi. (The teacher gently admonished the student who made a mistake.)
• "Lời khuyên bảo chân thành": sincere advice/counsel.
  • Tôi luôn trân trọng những lời khuyên bảo chân thành của bạn. (I always treasure your sincere counsel.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khuyên (verb): to advise, to recommend. Often used interchangeably with "khuyên bảo," but "khuyên" can be slightly less formal or emphatic.
  • Bác sĩ khuyên bệnh nhân nghỉ ngơi. (The doctor advised the patient to rest.)
• Khuyên nhủ (verb): to exhort, to urge earnestly. Similar to "khuyên bảo" but can imply repeated or more persistent urging.
  • Bà cụ khuyên nhủ cháu trai phải chăm chỉ. (The old lady exhorted her grandson to be diligent.)
• Khuyên răn (verb): to admonish, to exhort (often with a moral or disciplinary tone).
  • Nhà trường khuyên răn học sinh về tác hại của ma túy. (The school admonished the students about the dangers of drugs.)

Synonyms

• Căn dặn: to instruct, to enjoin (often with specific, careful instructions).
• Chỉ bảo: to instruct, to show how to do something (focuses more on teaching).
• Răn dạy: to teach a moral lesson, to instruct (often used in formal or moral contexts).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As Vietnamese does not have phrasal verbs in the same way English does, this section covers common verb phrases. - Khuyên bảo ai đó làm gì: to advise someone to do something. - Anh ấy khuyên bảo tôi nên đọc cuốn sách này. (He advised me to read this book.) - Khuyên bảo ai đó đừng/không làm gì: to advise someone not to do something. - Tôi khuyên bảo cô ấy không nên đi một mình. (I advised her not to go alone.)

Related Idioms

• "Khuyên bảo như nước đổ đầu vịt": Literally "advising like water poured on a duck's head." It means giving advice to someone who does not listen or pay attention; the advice is futile.
  • Nói với nó mãi mà chẳng nghe, đúng là khuyên bảo như nước đổ đầu vịt. (Talking to him forever and he doesn't listen, it's truly like advising a brick wall.)
• "Lời nói chẳng mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà khuyên bảo cho nhau": A proverb meaning "Words don't cost money, so choose your words carefully to advise each other." It encourages giving thoughtful, constructive advice.
  • Hãy nhớ câu "lời nói chẳng mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà khuyên bảo cho nhau". (Remember the saying, "advice is free, so give it wisely.")

verb

1. to admonish