Definition

1. Verb:
   • To impose a fine (on someone): The primary meaning of "bắt vạ" is to officially or customarily require someone to pay a penalty, traditionally for violating village rules, communal conventions, or family customs. It implies an authoritative judgment and a consequent material penalty.
   • To demand compensation (humorous/colloquial): In a lighter, often joking context, it can mean to hold someone accountable and demand they pay for or replace something they damaged.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ngày xưa, người để trâu phá hoại hoa màu có thể bị làng bắt vạ. (In the past, a person whose buffalo destroyed crops could be fined by the village.)
  • "Nếu tôi làm đổ ly nước này, anh có bắt vạ tôi không?" ("If I spill this glass of water, will you make me pay for it?")

Advanced Usage

• The concept of "bắt vạ" is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese communal governance, where villages had autonomy to set and enforce their own rules (). The "fine" could be money, rice, alcohol, or a communal feast.

Variants and Related Words

• Phạt (v): A more general and modern term for "to fine" or "to punish," used in legal and everyday contexts.
  • Cảnh sát giao thông phạt người vượt đèn đỏ. (The traffic police fine people who run red lights.)
• Bắt đền (v): To demand compensation or redress, often in interpersonal contexts. It is very close to the colloquial use of "bắt vạ."
  • Anh làm hỏng xe tôi, tôi sẽ bắt đền. (You broke my bike, I will demand compensation.)

Synonyms

• To fine: To impose a monetary penalty.
• To penalize: To subject to a penalty.
• To demand compensation: To require payment for a loss or damage.

Related Idioms

• Bắt vạ người ngay: Literally "to fine an innocent person." This idiom describes the act of falsely accusing or unfairly punishing someone who is not at fault.
  • Anh ấy không làm gì sai, việc trừ lương của anh ấy là bắt vạ người ngay. (He did nothing wrong; deducting his salary is punishing an innocent person.)

verb

1. To inflict a fine on (somebody formerly for contravening village or family conventions)