Definition

Verb: 1. To respect; to hold in regard: To feel or show deference, esteem, or consideration for someone, often due to their age, status, or character. 2. To be considerate of; to spare someone's feelings: To act in a way that avoids offending, hurting, or causing trouble for someone, often out of politeness or affection.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To respect):
  • Tôi rất nể thầy giáo cũ của mình. (I deeply respect my old teacher.)
  • Cô ấy được mọi người nể vì sự chính trực. (She is respected by everyone for her integrity.)
• Verb (To be considerate):
  • Chỉ vì nể bạn mà tôi đồng ý giúp. (It was only out of consideration for you that I agreed to help.)
  • Anh ấy nể tình cảm của cô ấy nên không nói thẳng. (He spared her feelings so he didn't speak directly.)

Advanced Usage

• "nể vì": A compound meaning "because of respect/consideration for". This is often used to explain an action motivated by deference.
  • Tôi đến dự nể vì ông chủ tịch đã mời. (I attended out of respect because the chairman invited me.)
• "mặt nể": A noun phrase referring to one's "face" or dignity that others respect. To "give face".
  • Hãy giữ mặt nể cho nhau trong cuộc tranh luận. (Let's preserve each other's dignity/face during the argument.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nể nang (verb): A more emphatic or formal variant meaning to show great respect and careful consideration.
  • Anh ta rất nể nang lời khuyên của cha mẹ. (He greatly respects and heeds his parents' advice.)
• Nể mặt (verb): Similar to "nể", specifically emphasizing respect for someone's social standing or reputation.
  • Họ đồng ý nể mặt giám đốc. (They agreed out of regard for the director's position.)
• Kính nể (verb): A compound combining "kính" (revere) and "nể", meaning to deeply respect and hold in high esteem.
  • Cả công ty đều kính nể bà ấy. (The whole company deeply respects her.)

Synonyms

• Kính trọng: To revere, to hold in high respect (stronger, more formal than "nể").
• Tôn trọng: To respect (general term, can be used for rules, people, opinions).
• Kiêng nể: To hold in awe and deference (often implies a mix of respect and slight fear/avoidance).
• Ngại: To hesitate due to consideration for someone's feelings or a potential awkward situation (closer to the "spare feelings" sense).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Nể phục: To respect and admire (often for someone's ability or achievement).
  • Tôi thực sự nể phục sự kiên trì của anh ấy. (I truly respect and admire his perseverance.)
• Nể sợ: To respect and fear (implies the respect is mixed with apprehension).
  • Học sinh nể sợ thầy giáo nghiêm khắc. (The students respect and fear the strict teacher.)

verb

1. to respect;to have sonsideration for