tị hiềm
Definition
- Verb (archaic/literary):
- To avoid suspicion: To act in a way that prevents others from doubting one's motives or actions, often by deliberately avoiding certain situations or associations.
- To shun contact due to suspicion: To refrain from having relations with someone because of existing doubts or to prevent the arising of suspicion.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ông ấy tị hiềm, không dám gặp mặt vị tướng đó. (He avoided suspicion by not daring to meet that general.)
- Để tị hiềm, bà ấy từ chối mọi món quà. (To avoid suspicion, she refused all gifts.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily used in classical or formal contexts, often related to historical narratives, politics, or situations requiring extreme diplomatic caution. It describes a proactive, strategic avoidance.
Variants and Related Words
Hiềm nghi (n): Suspicion, doubt.
- Mọi hiềm nghi đều đã được giải tỏa. (All suspicions have been cleared.)
Kỵ hiềm (v): A less common variant with a similar meaning of avoiding suspicion or taboo.
Synonyms
- To avoid suspicion: To act to prevent doubt.
- To steer clear of: To avoid someone or something to prevent trouble.
- To be circumspect: To be wary and unwilling to take risks.
Related Idioms
- Tị hiềm, tị nạn: To avoid suspicion and avoid calamity. This phrase emphasizes avoiding both doubt and danger.
- Cổ nhân thường phải biết tị hiềm, tị nạn. (The ancients often had to know how to avoid suspicion and calamity.)