đễ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Obedient; compliant; docile: An archaic term describing a person, typically a child or subordinate, who is well-behaved, easy to manage, and follows instructions without resistance. It implies a gentle and agreeable nature.
- Harmonious; concordant: An archaic meaning referring to a state of peace, agreement, or fraternal harmony within a family or group.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Người con trai ấy rất đễ. (That son is very obedient.)
- Gia đình họ sống với nhau rất đễ. (Their family lives together in great harmony.)
Advanced Usage
- This word is considered archaic in modern Vietnamese and is rarely used in everyday conversation. It is primarily encountered in classical literature, historical texts, or proverbs.
Variants and Related Words
- Hiền đễ (adj): A classical compound word combining "hiền" (gentle, kind) and "đễ" (obedient), meaning gentle, kind, and filially pious.
- Một người con hiền đễ. (A filial and obedient child.)
Synonyms
- Ngoan ngoãn: well-behaved, obedient (modern common equivalent).
- Hiền lành: gentle, good-natured.
- Thuận hòa: harmonious, peaceful.
Related Idioms
- Anh em hòa đễ: A classical idiom describing brothers who live in harmony and concord with each other.
- Gia đình ấy nổi tiếng anh em hòa đễ. (That family is famous for its brothers living in harmony.)