Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To handle with care, to be gentle/light-handed: To act carefully and gently when handling something fragile, delicate, or valuable to avoid breaking or damaging it. It implies a deliberate reduction of force or pressure.
   • (Figuratively) To be lenient, to go easy on someone: To show mercy or restraint when punishing, criticizing, or dealing with someone, often to avoid causing excessive harm or distress.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (handling objects):

  • Cần nương tay, cái hòm này đựng toàn đồ thủy tinh. (You need to handle this crate carefully; it's full of glassware.)
  • Khi gắp đậu phụ, bạn phải thật nương tay. (When picking up tofu, you must be very gentle.)

• Figurative meaning (dealing with people):

  • Thầy giáo đã nương tay với học sinh mới. (The teacher went easy on the new student.)
  • Trong lúc phê bình, anh ấy luôn biết nương tay. (When giving criticism, he always knows how to be lenient.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nương tay nương chân": An extended idiom emphasizing careful and gentle movement with both hands and feet. It can be used literally for physical movement or figuratively for cautious action.
  • Bước vào phòng ngủ của con, bố mẹ phải nương tay nương chân. (When entering their child's bedroom, the parents have to tread carefully.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhẹ tay (adj/phrase): Light-handed. A close synonym often used interchangeably in the literal sense.

  • Hãy nhẹ tay với món đồ chơi này. (Please be gentle with this toy.)

• Nương (verb): To rely on; to be gentle with; to spare. The core verb meaning "to be gentle" or "to go easy on," which forms the basis of the phrase.

  • Anh ấy biết nương sức của mình. (He knows how to pace his strength.)

Synonyms

• Cẩn thận (adj): Careful, cautious.
• Dịu dàng (adj): Gentle, soft (often used for demeanor).
• Khoan hồng (adj): Lenient, merciful (for the figurative sense).

Related Phrases

• Xuống tay (verb phrase): To act, to take action (often implying decisive or harsh action). It can be an antonym in certain contexts.
  • Hắn ta không nương tay với kẻ phản bội. (He did not go easy on the traitor.)

Related Idioms

• "Nương theo": To follow gently; to adapt to; to go along with (circumstances, trends).

  • Chúng tôi phải nương theo hoàn cảnh. (We have to adapt to the circumstances.)

• "Nương tựa": To rely on, to depend on (for support).

  • Cô ấy nương tựa vào gia đình. (She relies on her family.)

1. Be careful, be light-handed
   • Cần nương tay cái hòm đầy đổ thủy tinh
     Be careful in handling that crate full of crystal