Definition

1. Noun:

   • Tear: A drop of salty liquid that flows from the eyes, especially when crying or experiencing strong emotion.
   • Custom, Regulation, Rule: An established practice, convention, or formal rule that is followed by a group or community.

2. Verb (archaic):

   • To fear, to dread: To be afraid of or apprehensive about something. (This usage is now rare and found primarily in classical literature).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Tear):

  • Cô ấy rơi lệ vì xúc động. (She shed tears because she was moved.)
  • Giọt lệ lăn trên má em bé. (A tear rolled down the baby's cheek.)

• Noun (Custom/Rule):

  • Phép vua thua lệ làng. (The king's law yields to village customs.) - A proverb.
  • Mọi người phải tuân theo điều lệ của công ty. (Everyone must follow the company's regulations.)
  • Theo lệ thường, chúng tôi gặp nhau vào sáng thứ Hai. (As per usual custom, we meet on Monday mornings.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm chiếu lệ / lấy lệ": To do something perfunctorily, merely for form's sake, or as a token gesture.

  • Anh ấy chỉ học lấy lệ trước kỳ thi. (He only studied perfunctorily before the exam.)

• "theo đúng lệ": According to the established rule/custom.

  • Mọi việc được tiến hành theo đúng lệ. (Everything was carried out according to the proper rules.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lệ thuộc (verb): To be dependent on, subordinate to.

  • Nền kinh tế không nên lệ thuộc vào một ngành duy nhất. (The economy should not be dependent on a single industry.)

• Lệch lạc (adjective): Deviant, aberrant, incorrect.

  • Quan điểm lệch lạc. (A deviant viewpoint.)

• Lệ làng (noun phrase): Village customs/rules.

  • Lệ làng đôi khi quan trọng hơn luật pháp. (Village customs are sometimes more important than the law.)

Synonyms

• Nước mắt: Tear(s). (More common, concrete term for the liquid).
• Tục lệ: Custom, practice. (Emphasizes traditional practice).
• Quy định / Quy tắc: Regulation, rule. (More modern/formal terms for rules).
• Nếp: Habit, custom. (Emphasizes ingrained practice).

Idioms and Set Phrases

• "Phép vua thua lệ làng": A proverb meaning "The king's law yields to village customs." It highlights the power of local traditions and practices over central authority.
• "Rơi lệ" / "Tuôn lệ": To shed tears, to cry.
• "Mắt đẫm lệ": Eyes brimming with tears.
• "Lệ thường": As usual, customary practice.

noun

1. tear
   • rơi lệ
     to shed tears custom
   • điều lệ
     regulation