Definition

1. Verb:
   • To yield or concede with respect: "Kính nhường" describes the act of voluntarily giving way, priority, or concession to another person, motivated by and demonstrating respect, deference, or esteem. It combines the ideas of respect ("kính") and yielding ("nhường").

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trên xe buýt, anh ấy luôn kính nhường chỗ ngồi cho người già. (On the bus, he always respectfully yields his seat to the elderly.)
  • Tinh thần kính nhường lẫn nhau là nét đẹp trong văn hóa ứng xử. (The spirit of mutual deference is a beautiful aspect of behavioral culture.)
  • Cô ấy kính nhường để đồng nghiệp lớn tuổi hơn phát biểu trước. (She respectfully conceded to let her older colleague speak first.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or literary contexts: "Kính nhường" is often used in more formal, written, or proverbial contexts to describe virtuous social behavior, rather than in casual everyday speech.
  • Đạo lý "kính lão đắc thọ" đi đôi với sự kính nhường. (The principle "respecting the elderly leads to longevity" goes hand in hand with respectful yielding.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kính trọng (Verb/Adj): To respect, to hold in high esteem. Focuses more on the feeling of respect itself.

  • Học sinh phải kính trọng thầy cô giáo. (Students must respect their teachers.)

• Nhường nhịn (Verb): To yield, to give in, to make concessions. Emphasizes the act of yielding, often in compromises or conflicts, but does not inherently carry the strong connotation of respect found in "kính nhường".

  • Hai anh em phải biết nhường nhịn nhau. (The two brothers must know how to yield to each other.)

• Khiêm nhường (Adj): Humble, modest. Describes a personal quality of not being arrogant.

  • Anh ấy là một người tài giỏi nhưng rất khiêm nhường. (He is a talented but very humble person.)

Synonyms

• Nhường bước (Verb): To step aside, to give way. Can imply yielding in a physical or figurative sense.
• Nhượng bộ (Verb): To make a concession, to compromise. Often used in negotiations or disputes.

Related Idioms

• Kính trên nhường dưới: A proverb meaning "Respect those above (older/senior) and yield to those below (younger/junior)." It encapsulates the ideal of respectful behavior in hierarchical social relationships.
  • Gia đình ấy sống rất có tình có nghĩa, luôn kính trên nhường dưới. (That family lives with great affection and duty, always respecting seniors and yielding to juniors.)

1. Give priority with respect