Definition

1. Adverb/Adjective (used as a predicate): To be in a state of cowering, shrinking back, or behaving in a timid, fearful, and submissive manner due to fear, apprehension, or awe.

Usage

• Nem nép describes a person's physical posture (often slightly crouched, shoulders hunched) and demeanor when feeling intimidated, scared, or excessively respectful. It implies trying to make oneself small or inconspicuous out of fear.
• It is commonly used to depict someone in the presence of a strict authority figure, when expecting punishment, or in an intimidating situation.

Usage Examples

• (The child cowered in the corner, awaiting punishment.)
• (The new employee timidly entered the director's office.)
• (Hearing the yell, he shrank back, not daring to look directly.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nem nép sợ": A common collocation emphasizing the fear component. It means "to cower in fear."
  • Nó nem nép sợ mỗi khi ông chủ đi ngang qua. (He cowers in fear every time the boss walks by.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rụt rè (adj): Timid, shy. (Focuses more on shyness or lack of confidence, while emphasizes fear-induced submissiveness.)
• Khúm núm (adj/adv): To be obsequious, servile, bowing and scraping. (Stronger than , implying excessive, often ingratiating, subservience.)

Synonyms

• Sợ hãi co rúm lại: To shrink back in fear.
• Thu mình: To withdraw into oneself.
• E sợ: To be apprehensive, fearful.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Nem nép như cá nằm trên thớt: To cower like a fish on a chopping board. (An idiom describing extreme fear and helplessness in the face of danger.)
  • Biết mình sai, nó đứng nem nép như cá nằm trên thớt. (Knowing he was wrong, he stood cowering like a fish on a chopping board.)

1. To crouch in fear
   • Nem nép sợ đòn
     To crouch in fear of a beating