Definition

1. Verb:
   • To treat with consideration, to show regard/respect (out of fear of causing offense or losing favor): "nể nang" describes the act of behaving carefully or showing deference towards someone, often because one is concerned about hurting their feelings, damaging the relationship, or causing them to lose face.
   • To spare, to handle with care (due to social constraints): It implies a sense of restraint or holding back one's true actions or words due to social courtesy, respect for status, or personal affection.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn nể nang sếp cũ nên không dám từ chối lời đề nghị. (He always shows regard for his old boss, so he doesn't dare refuse the offer.)
  • Chỉ vì nể nang bạn bè mà cô ấy đồng ý giúp đỡ, dù bản thân cũng rất bận. (Just because she spares her friends' feelings, she agreed to help, even though she herself is very busy.)
  • Đừng quá nể nang mà không dám nói lên sự thật. (Don't be too restrained by consideration that you don't dare speak the truth.)

Advanced Usage

• "nể nang tình cảm": to spare someone's feelings, to be considerate of emotions.
  • Cô ấy phê bình rất nhẹ nhàng, nể nang tình cảm của đối phương. (She criticized very gently, sparing the other person's feelings.)
• "nể nang mặt mũi" / "nể nang nể mặt": to save face for someone, to show regard for someone's reputation/social standing.
  • Vì nể nang mặt mũi của ông chủ tịch, mọi người im lặng không chất vấn. (To save face for the chairman, everyone remained silent and did not question him.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nể (verb): to respect, to hold in high regard (often stronger and more about genuine respect, while "nể nang" often involves a social constraint).
  • Tôi rất nể khả năng làm việc của anh ấy. (I greatly respect his working ability.)
• Nể mặt (verb): to show regard for someone's face/position.
  • Nể mặt ông ấy là khách quý nên tôi không tranh cãi. (Out of regard for him being a distinguished guest, I did not argue.)
• Nể vì (conjunction): because of respect/consideration for.
  • Tôi đồng ý nể vì anh là bạn thân. (I agreed out of consideration for you being a close friend.)

Synonyms

• Tôn trọng (verb): to respect (more general and positive, less about fear of offense).
• Kiêng nể (verb): to hold in awe and respect (a stronger combination of avoidance and respect).
• Ngại (verb): to hesitate, to be reluctant (often due to inconvenience or shyness, can overlap in social contexts).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Nể nang quá hóa thẹn: Excessive consideration turns into shame/awkwardness. (Implies that being overly deferential can backfire and create an awkward situation.)
  • Đôi khi cứ thẳng thắn còn hơn, nể nang quá hóa thẹn. (Sometimes it's better to be straightforward; excessive regard can lead to awkwardness.)
• Nể tình nể nghĩa: To show regard for affection and obligation. (Highlights the aspect of consideration based on personal relationships and moral duty.)
  • Quyết định đó hoàn toàn dựa trên nể tình nể nghĩa. (That decision was based entirely on regard for affection and obligation.)

1. như nể nang