Where does “kiêng nể” come from?

kiêng nể (Vietnamese) comes from Vietnamese kiêng, from Chinese 敬 — respectful.

kiêng nể (Vietnamese): to respect; to show regard and consideration for

Definitions

  1. to respect; to show regard and consideration for

Ancestry of “kiêng nể”, step by step

kiêng nể traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Vietnamese kiêng

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Vietnamesekiêngto avoid; to refrain (from); to abstain (from)
2Chineserespectful

via Vietnamese nể

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Vietnamesenểto respect; to admire
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