Definition

1. Verb:
   • To comfort, to console: The primary meaning of "vỗ về" is to provide solace, emotional support, or reassurance to someone who is upset, sad, or distressed, often through gentle words or affectionate actions.
   • To soothe, to calm: It can also mean to gently pacify or calm someone, especially a child, by showing tenderness and care.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Mẹ vỗ về đứa trẻ đang khóc. (The mother comforted the crying child.)
  • Anh ấy vỗ về tinh thần tôi sau thất bại. (He consoled me after the failure.)
  • Cô giáo vỗ về học sinh mới còn bỡ ngỡ. (The teacher soothed the new student who was still shy.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a physical or metaphorical gesture of tenderness, such as a gentle pat or soft words, that makes someone feel cared for and secure.
  • Lời nói vỗ về của bà đã xoa dịu nỗi buồn của tôi. (Her comforting words soothed my sorrow.)

Variants and Related Words

• An ủi (v): to comfort, to console. This is a close synonym but can be slightly more general, while "vỗ về" often carries a more nurturing, physical connotation.
  • Bạn bè đến an ủi cô ấy. (Friends came to console her.)

Synonyms

• Comfort: to ease the grief or distress of.
• Console: to give solace or sympathy to.
• Soothe: to calm or placate.
• Reassure: to give confidence or remove anxiety.

Related Idioms

• While "vỗ về" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to expressions about care and consolation.
  • Vỗ về an ủi: to comfort and console (often used together for emphasis).

    • Cô ấy biết cách vỗ về an ủi người khác. (She knows how to comfort and console others.)

verb

1. to comfort, to console