Definition

1. Verb:
   • To oppress; to coerce: To use power or authority in a cruel or unjust way to control someone or force them to do something. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • To pressure; to press: To exert strong psychological or situational force, creating a feeling of urgency or compulsion.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chính quyền độc tài thường áp bách người dân. (The dictatorial regime often oppresses the people.)
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy bị áp bách phải ký hợp đồng ngay lập tức. (She felt pressured to sign the contract immediately.)
  • Không nên áp bách trẻ em học quá nhiều. (One should not coerce children into studying too much.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "áp bách" is considered somewhat formal and is less common in everyday speech than its synonym "áp bức". It often carries a strong connotation of injustice and the abuse of power.

Variants and Related Words

• Áp bức (v): To oppress; to persecute. This is the more frequently used synonym for "áp bách" in the sense of oppression.

  • Họ phải chịu đựng sự áp bức trong nhiều năm. (They had to endure oppression for many years.)

• Cưỡng bức (v): To compel; to force (often physically or legally).

  • Hành vi cưỡng bức là phạm pháp. (Acts of compulsion are illegal.)

Synonyms

• Oppress: To govern or treat cruelly or unjustly.
• Coerce: To persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.
• Pressure: To strongly persuade or force someone to do something.

Related Idioms

• While "áp bách" itself is not commonly found in idiomatic phrases, the concept is central to idioms like:
  • "Bức hiếp": To bully and oppress.

    • Kẻ mạnh không nên bức hiếp kẻ yếu. (The strong should not bully and oppress the weak.)