vỗ yên
Definition
- Verb (archaic):
- To pacify; to calm; to soothe: To restore peace, order, or tranquility to a group of people or a region, often after a period of unrest or disturbance. It implies an authoritative action to settle agitation.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nhà vua tìm cách vỗ yên trăm họ. (The king sought to pacify the populace.)
- Sau cuộc nổi loạn, quan quân được lệnh vỗ yên vùng biên ải. (After the rebellion, the troops were ordered to pacify the border region.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily found in historical or literary contexts describing governance, military action, or leadership. It often carries a connotation of using persuasion, authority, or force to establish calm.
Variants and Related Words
Yên ổn (adj): peaceful, stable.
- Đất nước trở lại yên ổn. (The country returned to a state of peace.)
Trấn an (v): to reassure, to calm (more common in modern usage for calming fears).
- Chính phủ tìm cách trấn an dư luận. (The government seeks to reassure public opinion.)
Synonyms
- Pacify: To bring peace to an area by ending war or violence.
- Quell: To put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force.
- Appease: To bring to a state of peace or quiet.
- Soothe: To calm or placate (often used for individuals).
Related Idioms
- Vỗ về an ủi: to comfort and console (a more personal, physical act of comforting).
- Mẹ vỗ về an ủi đứa trẻ. (The mother soothed and comforted the child.)