Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To act out of consideration or deference for someone: To do or not do something because of respect, regard, or consideration for another person's feelings, status, or situation. It implies a motivation based on sparing someone's feelings or showing them respect.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi không dám chỉ trích anh ấy vì nể. (I did not dare criticize him out of consideration/deference.)
  • Cô ấy đồng ý lời mời vì nể người bạn thân. (She agreed to the invitation out of regard for her close friend.)
  • Chúng tôi im lặng vì nể ông chủ. (We remained silent out of deference to the boss.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase often describes a constraint on one's actions, where the primary reason for a particular behavior is respect for another party, rather than personal desire or agreement.

Variants and Related Words

• Nể (v): to respect, to hold in high regard.
  • Tôi rất nể khả năng của anh ấy. (I greatly respect his ability.)
• Nể nang (v): to show consideration or regard (often used similarly to "vì nể").
  • Anh ấy từ chối rất khéo vì nể nang. (He refused very tactfully out of consideration.)

Synonyms

• Out of respect for: due to regard for someone.
• Out of consideration for: because of thoughtfulness for another's circumstances.
• Out of deference to: yielding to someone's judgment or position.

Related Idioms

• Nể mặt: to show regard for someone's face/social standing.
  • Vì nể mặt gia đình, họ đã giảng hòa. (Out of regard for the family's standing, they reconciled.)
• Nể tình: to show regard for feelings or a relationship.
  • Vì nể tình bạn cũ, anh ấy đã giúp đỡ. (Out of regard for their old friendship, he helped.)