Definition

1. Verb:
   • (archaic, military) To arrange troops in a battle formation; to deploy an army for combat. This term specifically describes the strategic positioning of military forces before or during a battle.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tướng quân đang bố trận ở phía trước đồi. (The general is deploying troops in battle formation in front of the hill.)
  • Việc bố trận khéo léo là yếu tố then chốt để giành chiến thắng. (Skillfully arranging the battle array is a key factor for achieving victory.)

Advanced Usage

• "bài binh bố trận": This is a classic, four-character idiom meaning "to deploy troops and arrange the battle formation." It describes the complete process of preparing an army for combat.
  • Trước trận đánh lớn, vị tướng đã bài binh bố trận rất cẩn thận. (Before the major battle, the general meticulously deployed the troops and arranged the battle formation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bày trận (verb): A more modern and common synonym meaning to set up a battle formation or to arrange a (military) situation. It can also be used metaphorically in games like chess.
• Bố trí (verb): The modern, general-purpose verb meaning "to arrange," "to organize," or "to deploy" (e.g., personnel, furniture, time). It has replaced "bố trận" in contemporary non-military contexts.
• Thế trận (noun): The battle formation or tactical situation.

Synonyms

• Dàn trận: To line up in battle formation.
• Sắp xếp đội hình chiến đấu: To arrange the combat formation.

Notes on Usage

• Register: The word "bố trận" is considered archaic (từ cũ) and is primarily found in historical texts, literature, or when describing ancient warfare. In modern Vietnamese, "bố trí" is used for general arrangement, and "bày trận" or "dàn trận" are used for military contexts.
• Scope: It is specifically a military term and is not used for everyday arrangements.

1. (từ cũ, nghĩa cũ) Dispose troops in battle-array