Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To have regard for (someone's) face/presence; to show consideration or deference due to someone's status, relationship, or presence: The phrase "nể mặt" describes the act of treating someone with respect, leniency, or special consideration, often to avoid causing offense or to maintain a good relationship. It implies that one's actions are influenced by the other person's social standing, personal connection, or the simple fact of their being present.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi đồng ý giúp anh ấy chỉ vì nể mặt bố mẹ anh ấy. (I agreed to help him only out of regard for his parents.)
  • Chủ tịch công ty đã tha thứ cho lỗi lầm của nhân viên vì nể mặt người bảo lãnh. (The company president forgave the employee's mistake out of regard for the guarantor.)
  • Anh ta nói năng rất thận trọng, có lẽ là nể mặt sếp đang ngồi đó. (He spoke very cautiously, probably out of regard for the boss who was sitting there.)

Advanced Usage

• "nể mặt nhau": to have mutual regard for each other; to show mutual consideration.
  • Hai bên đã ngừng tranh cãi vì còn nể mặt nhau. (The two sides stopped arguing because they still had regard for each other.)
• "chẳng nể mặt ai": to not have regard for anyone; to be disrespectful or consider no one.
  • Anh ta cư xử rất ngang ngược, chẳng nể mặt ai cả. (He behaves very arrogantly, having no regard for anyone.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nể (verb): to respect, to hold in esteem. This is the core verb. "Nể mặt" is a more specific phrase.
  • Tôi rất nể cô ấy vì sự thông minh của cô. (I really respect her for her intelligence.)
• Nể nang (verb): to be considerate, to show regard. This is a near-synonym, often used interchangeably with "nể mặt" but can sound slightly more formal or literary.
  • Dù giận đến mấy, anh ấy vẫn biết nể nang. (No matter how angry he was, he still knew to be considerate.)

Synonyms

• Tôn trọng (verb): to respect. (This is a more general term for respect, while "nể mặt" often implies a specific, situational deference.)
• Kiêng nể (verb): to hold in awe and respect. (This implies a stronger sense of reverence or fear.)
• Vì nể (prepositional phrase/verb): out of regard/respect for. (This is very close in meaning and often used in similar contexts.)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Nể tình nể nghĩa": to have regard for feelings and obligations. This phrase expands the concept to include emotional bonds and moral duties.
  • Tôi giúp họ không phải vì tiền mà là nể tình nể nghĩa. (I helped them not for money but out of regard for our relationship and obligations.)
• "Trông mặt mà bắt hình dong": (idiom) Literally "Look at the face to capture the likeness." It means to judge or act based on appearance or status, which relates to the concept of "mặt" (face/status) in "nể mặt."
  • Anh ta là người hay trông mặt mà bắt hình dong. (He is someone who often judges based on appearances.)

1. Have regard for