khuyên dỗ
Definition
- Verb:
- To console and gently persuade: The primary meaning of "khuyên dỗ" is to comfort someone, especially a child or an upset person, by offering gentle advice and soothing words to calm them down or change their mood or behavior.
- To coax with counsel: It involves using kind, persuasive reasoning to guide someone away from distress, stubbornness, or incorrect actions.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Mẹ đang khuyên dỗ đứa bé khóc. (The mother is consoling the crying child.)
- Cô giáo khuyên dỗ học sinh bình tĩnh lại. (The teacher coaxed the student to calm down.)
- Anh ấy dành cả buổi tối để khuyên dỗ người bạn đang buồn. (He spent the whole evening comforting his sad friend.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contexts involving caregiving, parenting, teaching, or close personal relationships where emotional support and gentle guidance are needed.
- It implies a patient and tender approach, contrasting with harsh criticism or simple commands.
Variants and Related Words
Khuyên bảo (v): to advise, to counsel. This focuses more on giving advice rather than the emotional comfort aspect.
- Cha mẹ luôn khuyên bảo con cái. (Parents always advise their children.)
Dỗ dành (v): to soothe, to pacify (often used for children). This emphasizes the comforting action more than the verbal advice.
- Bà ngoại dỗ dành cháu ngủ. (The grandmother soothed the grandchild to sleep.)
Synonyms
- To console: to comfort someone in distress.
- To coax: to persuade gently and patiently.
- To soothe: to calm or placate.
Related Idioms
- While "khuyên dỗ" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to expressions about care and guidance.
- Lời khuyên dỗ ngọt ngào: sweet words of consolation (a descriptive phrase, not a strict idiom).
- Cô ấy cần những lời khuyên dỗ ngọt ngào. (She needs sweet words of consolation.)