Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fondle, to stroke gently: To touch or handle someone or something softly and repeatedly, often to show affection, comfort, or tenderness. This is the primary physical meaning.
   • To soothe, to appease, to coax: To use words or actions to calm, flatter, or win someone over, often to placate them or gain favor. This is a figurative, psychological meaning.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Physical affection):

  • Cô ấy vuốt ve con mèo. (She is stroking the cat.)
  • Người mẹ vuốt ve mái tóc của con. (The mother fondled her child's hair.)

• Verb (Figurative soothing):

  • Ông chủ vuốt ve nhân viên bằng những lời khen. (The boss soothed the employee with compliments.)
  • Họ cố gắng vuốt ve đối thủ sau cuộc tranh cãi. (They tried to appease their opponent after the argument.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a repeated, gentle, and deliberate action, whether physical or verbal. It can carry a slightly manipulative connotation in its figurative use, suggesting an attempt to influence or pacify someone through flattery or false kindness.

Variants and Related Words

• Vuốt (v): To stroke or smooth down in a single, often firmer motion (e.g., - to smooth one's hair). "Vuốt ve" emphasizes tenderness and repetition more than "vuốt".
• Âu yếm (v): To show affection, to caress. This is a close synonym for the physical sense of "vuốt ve" but can encompass a wider range of affectionate behavior.
• Xoa dịu (v): To soothe, to calm, to alleviate. This is a close synonym for the figurative sense of "vuốt ve".

Synonyms

• Caress: To touch or stroke gently in a loving way.
• Stroke: To move one's hand gently over a surface.
• Soothe: To gently calm a person or their feelings.
• Cajole: To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery (related to the figurative sense).

Related Idioms

• Vuốt ve mơn trớn: To flatter and coax excessively; to butter someone up.
  • Hắn ta chỉ biết vuốt ve mơn trớn cấp trên. (He only knows how to butter up his superiors.)

verb

1. to fondle, to stroke