Definition

1. Verb:
   • To prize up; to lever up: To lift or raise a heavy object by applying force with a lever or similar tool.
   • To tilt; to tip up: To become raised or unbalanced at one end, causing a slanting position.
   • To take sides with; to defend; to side with: To support or defend someone, especially in an argument or conflict, often showing partiality.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Dùng đòn bênh hòn đá. (Use a lever to prize up the rock.)
  • Một đầu phiến gỗ bênh lên. (One end of the wooden plank tilted up.)
  • Mẹ bênh con. (The mother takes sides with her child.)
  • Họ luôn bênh nhau chầm chập. (They always staunchly defend each other.)

Advanced Usage

• The act of "bênh" often implies using a tool or a point of leverage for the physical meanings, and implies bias or emotional attachment for the figurative meaning of defending someone.

Variants and Related Words

• Bênh vực (v): to defend, to protect, to stand up for. This is a more common and formal variant for the meaning "to defend."
  • Anh ấy luôn bênh vực bạn bè. (He always stands up for his friends.)

Synonyms

• Lever/Pry: To raise or move with a lever.
• Tilt: To cause to slope.
• Defend: To support against criticism or attack.
• Side with: To support one person or group in a dispute.

Related Idioms

• Bênh nhau chầm chập: To stubbornly or unwaveringly take each other's side; to defend each other through thick and thin.
  • Dù ai nói ngả nói nghiêng, họ vẫn bênh nhau chầm chập. (No matter what people say, they still staunchly defend each other.)

verb

1. To prize up
   • dùng đòn bênh hòn đá
     to prize up a rock with a lever
2. To tilt
   • một đầu phiến gỗ bênh lên
     an end of the board was tilted
3. To take sides with
   • mẹ bênh con
     the mother took sides with her child
   • bênh nhau chầm chập
     to staunchly take sides with one another