Definition

1. Verb:
   • To close; to shut (partially or gently): "Khép" describes the action of moving a part (like a door, window, or one's legs) to make it less open or almost closed, but not necessarily fully shut or locked.
   • To sentence; to condemn (in a legal or formal context): "Khép" means to formally assign guilt, a penalty, or a sentence to someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to close):
  • Cô ấy nhẹ nhàng khép cửa phòng lại. (She gently closed the room door.)
  • Em bé ngồi khép hai chân lại. (The baby sat with his legs closed together.)
• Verb (to sentence):
  • Tòa án đã khép án cho bị cáo. (The court sentenced the defendant.)
  • Hắn bị khép vào tội phản quốc. (He was convicted of treason.)

Advanced Usage

• "khép nép": to act timidly, shyly, or submissively.
  • Cậu bé đứng khép nép sau lưng mẹ. (The boy stood timidly behind his mother.)
• "khép kín": to close tightly; to be closed off or secretive (often about feelings or information).
  • Cô ấy sống một cuộc đời khép kín. (She lives a closed-off life.)
• "tự khép mình": to confine or restrict oneself (to a rule, discipline, or place).
  • Anh ấy tự khép mình trong phòng để học bài. (He confined himself to his room to study.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khép lại (phrasal verb): to close (something); to bring to an end (a period, a story).
  • Buổi lễ đã khép lại trong niềm xúc động. (The ceremony concluded amidst emotion.)
• Đóng: to close, to shut (often more final or complete than "khép"). This is a synonym for the physical closing action.
• Kết án: to sentence, to convict. This is a more direct synonym for the legal meaning.

Synonyms

• Physical closing: Đóng (to shut), chập lại (to bring together).
• Legal sentencing: Kết tội (to convict), tuyên án (to pronounce a sentence).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khép vào: to close (something) into/within.
  • Hãy khép cửa sổ vào trước khi trời mưa. (Please close the window before it rains.)
• Khép tội: to charge/convict someone of a crime. (This is a fixed legal phrase).
  • Bị cáo bị khép tội lừa đảo. (The defendant was charged with fraud.)

Related Idioms

• Khép hờ: to be ajar; left slightly open.
  • Cánh cửa khép hờ để đón chút gió mát. (The door was left ajar to let in some cool breeze.)
• Khép tâm hồn: to close one's heart; to become emotionally withdrawn.
  • Sau biến cố, anh ấy khép tâm hồn lại với mọi người. (After the incident, he closed his heart to everyone.)

verb

1. to close; to shut
   • khép cửa
     to close the door to sentence; to condemn
   • bị khép án tử hình
     to be sentenced to death