Definition

1. Verb:
   • To abstain from; to refrain from: To deliberately avoid consuming certain foods, drinks, or substances, or to avoid specific actions, typically for health, medical, or recovery reasons.
   • To avoid as a taboo; to observe a prohibition: To steer clear of certain objects, words, or activities due to superstitious beliefs, cultural customs, or religious practices considered sacred or unlucky.
   • To hold back from; to forbear out of respect: To avoid doing or saying something out of consideration, deference, or fear of offending someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bác sĩ bảo tôi phải kiêng đường. (The doctor told me I must abstain from sugar.)
  • Người ta thường kiêng nói về cái chết vào ngày đầu năm. (People often avoid talking about death on New Year's Day.)
  • Anh ấy kiêng không dám phê bình sếp. (He held back from criticizing the boss.)

Advanced Usage

• "kiêng khem": to follow a strict regimen or diet; to be very careful about what one eats or does.

  • Sau phẫu thuật, bà ấy phải kiêng khem rất cẩn thận. (After surgery, she had to follow a very careful diet.)

• "kiêng cữ": to observe taboos or restrictions (often used for post-partum practices or traditional rituals).

  • Theo phong tục, sản phụ phải kiêng cữ trong một tháng. (According to custom, a new mother must observe post-partum restrictions for a month.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiêng nể (v): to hold in awe and refrain from offending; to treat with great deference.

  • Mọi người đều kiêng nể ông ấy. (Everyone holds him in respectful awe.)

• Kiêng kỵ (v/n): to avoid as a taboo; a taboo.

  • Đó là điều kiêng kỵ trong văn hóa của họ. (That is a taboo in their culture.)

Synonyms

• Abstain: To refrain from something, especially alcohol or rich food.
• Avoid: To keep away from.
• Refrain: To stop oneself from doing something.
• Forbear: To patiently hold back from an action.

Related Idioms

• Kiêng như kiêng kỵ: To avoid something like a plague; to be extremely cautious in avoiding something.

  • Cô ấy kiêng chất béo như kiêng kỵ. (She avoids fat like the plague.)

• Kiêng không dám: To not dare to do something out of fear or respect.

  • Tôi kiêng không dám hỏi về chuyện đó. (I don't dare to ask about that matter.)

verb

1. to abstain from, to forbear
   • kiêng rượu
     to forbear wine