Definition

1. Verb:
   • To apply (a thin layer): To spread a substance such as ointment, paint, or glue thinly onto a surface.
   • To do perfunctorily, to do by halves: To perform a task carelessly, superficially, or without proper responsibility.
   • To contrive (something unnecessary): To create or add unnecessary complications or tasks.
   • To erase, to rub out: To remove marks, typically from a writing surface like a blackboard.

Usage Examples

• To apply:
  • Cô y tá bôi thuốc lên vết thương. (The nurse applied ointment to the wound.)
  • Anh ấy bôi một lớp sơn mới lên tường. (He applied a new coat of paint to the wall.)
• To do perfunctorily:
  • Đừng bôi công việc, hãy làm cho cẩn thận. (Don't do the work carelessly, do it carefully.)
• To contrive:
  • Mọi việc đã rõ ràng, đừng bôi thêm chuyện nữa. (Everything is clear, don't create more unnecessary issues.)
• To erase:
  • Giáo viên bôi bảng sau giờ học. (The teacher erased the blackboard after class.)

Advanced Usage

• "bôi bác": To do something in a sloppy, haphazard, or irresponsible manner. This is a stronger expression implying negligence.
  • Kế hoạch này bị thực hiện một cách bôi bác. (This plan was executed in a sloppy manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bôi trơn (v): To lubricate (literally: to apply grease/oil smoothly).
  • Bôi trơn động cơ định kỳ. (Lubricate the engine periodically.)
• Bôi nhọ (v): To smear, to defame (literally: to apply blackening).
  • Không nên bôi nhọ danh tiếng của người khác. (One should not smear another person's reputation.)

Synonyms

• To apply: To put a substance on a surface.
• To smear: To spread a substance messily.
• To skimp: To do something hastily with insufficient effort.
• To erase: To remove written marks.

Related Idioms

• Bôi tro trát trấu (vào mặt): Literally "to apply ash and stick rice husks on someone's face." Figuratively, it means to insult, humiliate, or defame someone publicly.
  • Hành động đó chẳng khác nào bôi tro trát trấu vào mặt gia đình họ. (That action was like publicly humiliating their family.)
• Bôi rửa: An older, less common variant meaning to wash or cleanse, but often used in the negative form "không bôi rửa được" meaning an indelible stain or an unforgivable shame.

verb

1. To apply (a thin layer of)
   • bôi thuốc đỏ
     to apply merbromin
   • bôi dầu
     to apply oil, to oil
   • bôi hồ lên giấy
     to apply glue on paper, to spread glue on paper
   • bôi son trát phấn
     to apply lipstick on one's lips and powder on one's face; to make up one's face
2. To do perfunctorily, to do by halves
   • công việc bôi ra
     to do one's work by halves
3. To contrive (cái không cần thiết)
4. To erase, to rub out(bảng dden)
   • bôi tro trát trấu (vào mặt)