Definition

1. Noun:
   • Rule; regulation: A prescribed guide for conduct or action; an authoritative regulation or directive.
   • Courtesy; politeness; decorum: The established norms of polite and respectful behavior in society.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mọi người phải tuân theo phép tắc của công ty. (Everyone must follow the company's rules.)
  • Ông ấy là người rất có phép tắc trong giao tiếp. (He is a person with great courtesy in communication.)
  • Phép tắc xã hội đôi khi rất phức tạp. (Social decorum can sometimes be very complex.)

Advanced Usage

• "phép tắc xã giao": rules of social etiquette.
  • Cô ấy am hiểu mọi phép tắc xã giao. (She is well-versed in all rules of social etiquette.)
• "giữ phép tắc": to maintain propriety/to observe the rules.
  • Dù ở đâu, anh ta cũng luôn giữ phép tắc. (Wherever he is, he always observes the rules.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phép (n): rule, method, permission. Often used interchangeably with "phép tắc" but can be broader (e.g., - calculation, - to ask for permission).
• Quy tắc (n): rule, principle. More formal and often used for specific, defined rules (e.g., - grammar rules).
• Lễ phép (adj): polite, well-mannered. Describes a person's behavior.
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất lễ phép. (That child is very polite.)

Synonyms

• Luật lệ: laws and regulations (more formal, often legal).
• Khuôn phép: norms, standards (emphasizes a model or standard to follow).
• Lễ nghi: rites, rituals, ceremonies (focuses on formal procedures).

Related Phrases

• "Ăn nói có phép tắc": to speak with politeness/to speak properly.
  • Một người lịch sự luôn ăn nói có phép tắc. (A polite person always speaks with propriety.)
• "Vô phép tắc": to be rude/to lack manners.
  • Hành động đó thật vô phép tắc. (That action is truly rude.)

Related Idioms

• "Trên kính dưới nhường": (Literally: Respect those above, yield to those below). This idiom embodies the spirit of "phép tắc" in hierarchical and social relations, emphasizing respect and deference.
  • Gia đình họ sống theo đạo lý "trên kính dưới nhường". (Their family lives by the principle of "respecting superiors and yielding to inferiors.")

1. Rule; regulation