Definition

1. Verb:
   • To avoid, to refrain from, to abstain from: "kiêng dè" means to consciously stay away from something or to not do something, often due to caution, respect, tradition, or health reasons. It implies a deliberate act of holding back or exercising restraint.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bác sĩ khuyên tôi nên kiêng dè đồ ăn nhiều dầu mỡ. (The doctor advised me to avoid greasy food.)
  • Trong gia đình truyền thống, con cái thường kiêng dè một số hành động trước mặt cha mẹ. (In traditional families, children often refrain from certain behaviors in front of their parents.)
  • Anh ấy kiêng dè không nhận xét về vấn đề nhạy cảm đó. (He abstained from commenting on that sensitive issue.)

Advanced Usage

• "Kiêng dè trong ăn uống": to be on a diet, to have dietary restrictions.

  • Sau phẫu thuật, bà ấy phải kiêng dè trong ăn uống rất nhiều. (After surgery, she had to follow many dietary restrictions.)

• "Kiêng dè lời nói": to be careful/restrained with words.

  • Khi nói chuyện với sếp, anh ta luôn kiêng dè lời nói. (When talking to his boss, he is always careful with his words.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiêng (verb): to abstain, to avoid (often used for health or religious reasons). It is a core component of "kiêng dè".

  • kiêng rượu bia (to abstain from alcohol)

• Dè (verb): to be wary, to be cautious. It is a core component of "kiêng dè".

  • dè chừng (to be on guard)

• Kiêng khem (verb): to abstain, to diet (often with a stronger emphasis on strictness, especially for health).

  • Người bệnh gút phải kiêng khem nghiêm ngặt. (People with gout must follow a strict diet.)

Synonyms

• Tránh: to avoid, to evade.
• Nhịn: to refrain, to forbear (often from a desire or habit).
• Kiêng cữ: to abstain, to observe taboos (often used in medical or traditional contexts).

Related Phrases

• Kiêng dè đủ điều: to abstain from all sorts of things; to have many restrictions.
  • Ông lão bệnh tật nên phải kiêng dè đủ điều. (The sick old man has to abstain from all sorts of things.)

Related Idioms

• Kiêng như kiêng tà: to avoid something as if avoiding an evil spirit (emphasizes extreme avoidance).
  • Anh ta kiêng rượu như kiêng tà vậy. (He avoids alcohol as if it were an evil spirit.)

1. Avoid