khắc kỉ
Definition
Adjective:
- Stoic, self-disciplined: Describes a person who practices strict self-control and restraint over their emotions and desires, often in the face of adversity or hardship.
- Austere, ascetic: Refers to a lifestyle or behavior characterized by severe self-denial and simplicity, often for moral or spiritual purposes.
Noun (in compound phrases):
- Self-discipline, self-restraint: The practice or principle of controlling one's impulses, emotions, or physical desires.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Ông ấy sống một cuộc đời rất khắc kỉ. (He lives a very stoic/ascetic life.)
- Phong cách lãnh đạo của bà ấy rất khắc kỉ và nghiêm túc. (Her leadership style is very disciplined and serious.)
Noun (in context):
- Khắc kỉ phục lễ vi nhân. (To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue.) [A reference to a Confucian concept, often translated using "self-discipline".]
Advanced Usage
"tinh thần khắc kỉ": stoic spirit / stoicism.
- Anh ấy đối mặt với khó khăn bằng tinh thần khắc kỉ. (He faces difficulties with a stoic spirit.)
"lối sống khắc kỉ": ascetic/stoic lifestyle.
- Nhà hiền triết theo đuổi một lối sống khắc kỉ. (The sage pursues an ascetic lifestyle.)
Variants and Related Words
- Khắc nghiệt (adj): harsh, severe, rigorous (often describing conditions, not directly self-discipline).
- Kỉ luật (n): discipline (often external or institutional).
- Tự chủ (adj/n): self-controlled, autonomous.
Synonyms
- Tiết chế: to moderate, to restrain.
- Tự kiềm chế: self-restraint.
- Khổ hạnh: ascetic (emphasizing self-denial, often religious).
Related Phrases
- Khắc kỉ phục lễ: (Confucian phrase) To subdue/deny the self and return to propriety/ritual.
- Sống khắc kỉ: to live an ascetic/stoic life.
Related Idioms
- "Khắc kỉ cầu đạo": (Literally: to practice self-discipline to seek the Way.) To live austerely in pursuit of a moral or spiritual path.
- Nhiều nhà tu hành đã khắc kỉ cầu đạo suốt đời. (Many monks have practiced self-discipline to seek the Way their whole lives.)