thư giãn
The English phrase 'relax' is translated into Vietnamese as thư giãn.
The verb thư giãn is used to describe resting and becoming relieved of stress. It is commonly used in the context of mental or physical relaxation, such as after work or during a spa treatment.
Meaning: (intransitive) to rest and become relieved of stress (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word thư giãn is composed of thư, meaning leisure or leisurely and giãn, meaning to stretch or expand.
Did you know?
- The word thư in thư giãn originates from the Chinese character for 'book' or 'document'. In ancient times, reading literature was considered the ultimate form of leisure and mental escape.
- While thư giãn is used for general relaxation, Vietnamese has a distinct concept called xả stress to describe the active venting or discharging of tension, often using the English word 'stress'.
- While thư giãn is a standard verb, if you want to tell someone to 'relax' as an order to calm down, you would more likely say bình tĩnh.
Examples in context
- Tôi nên thư giãn.I should relax.Tatoeba #13340850 by leucammieuvu, translation #5851685 by CK
- Tôi muốn massa. Tôi cần thư giãnI want a massage. I need to relax.This sentence uses thư giãn to express a need for relaxation in relation to a massage.Tatoeba #12565583 by thanhcona40, translation #2091 by Swift
- Thư giãn đi.Relax.Tatoeba #13682577 by leucammieuvu, translation #1722133 by shanghainese
- Hãy thư giãn sau một ngày làm việc mệt mỏi.Please relax after a tiring day at work.
- Bọn mình cùng thư giãn sau những giờ làm việc căng thẳng.Let's relax together after a stressful working day.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn and Hương are talking about their stressful work week.
- Tuấn TuanTuần này của em vất vả quá.This week has been so hard for you.
- Hương HuongVâng, em cần đi thư giãn một chút.Yes, I need to go relax a bit.
- Tuấn TuanCuối tuần này mình đi biển nhé?Shall we go to the beach this weekend?
- Hương HuongÝ kiến hay đó, em sẽ được thư giãn.That's a great idea, I will be able to relax.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thư, thư giãn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
