Definition

1. Noun:

   • Birthmark: A permanent mark on the skin present from birth, typically red or purplish in color.

2. Verb:

   • To diminish, to decrease, to reduce: To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or intensity.
   • To lessen, to abate: To become smaller or less intense, often used for symptoms, pain, or strong emotions.
   • To cut down (on): To reduce the amount of something, especially costs, paperwork, or activities.
   • To set aside, to save (a portion): To keep a part of something for later use.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Đứa trẻ có một cái bớt nhỏ trên má. (The child has a small birthmark on its cheek.)

• Verb:

  • Cô ấy cần bớt chi tiêu cho quần áo. (She needs to cut down on spending for clothes.)
  • Sau khi uống thuốc, cơn đau đã bớt nhiều. (After taking medicine, the pain has lessened a lot.)
  • Cái gậy này dài quá, cần cắt bớt. (This stick is too long; it needs to be shortened.)
  • Anh ấy bớt lại một ít thức ăn cho em trai. (He set aside a little food for his younger brother.)

Advanced Usage

• "bớt giận làm lành": To let go of anger and make peace; to forgive and reconcile.

  • Hai anh em nên bớt giận làm lành với nhau. (The two brothers should let go of their anger and make up.)

• "bớt một thêm hai": To haggle or bargain back and forth over a price.

  • Mua bán ở chợ thường phải bớt một thêm hai. (Buying at the market often involves haggling.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giảm bớt (v): To reduce, to cut down. This compound emphasizes the action of reduction.

  • Công ty đang tìm cách giảm bớt chi phí. (The company is looking for ways to reduce costs.)

• Bớt xén (v): To skimp, to cut corners, or to unfairly reduce someone's share (often has a negative connotation).

  • Không được bớt xén khẩu phần ăn của công nhân. (You must not skimp on the workers' rations.)

Synonyms

• Diminish: To become or make smaller or less.
• Reduce: To make something smaller or less in size, amount, or degree.
• Lessen: To make or become less; often used for intensity.
• Abate: (Of something unpleasant) to become less intense or widespread.
• Subside: To become less intense, violent, or severe.

Related Idioms

• Thêm bạn bớt thù: (Literal: To add friends, to diminish foes) A proverb meaning it is better to make friends than enemies; to increase alliances and reduce hostilities.
  • Chính sách ngoại giao khôn ngoan là thêm bạn bớt thù. (A wise foreign policy is to make more friends and fewer enemies.)

noun

1. Birth-mark

verb

1. To diminish, to cut down, to decrease, to reduce
   • giảm bớt chi phí sản xuất
     to cut down production cost
   • thêm bạn bớt thù
     to increase the number of friends and to decrease that of foes
   • bớt giấy tờ, bớt hội họp
     to cut down red tape and meetings
   • bệnh mười phần bớt tám
     the disease has diminished by eight-tenths (four-fifths), the disease has nearly completely abated
   • cái gậy này dài quá, chặt cho ngắn bớt
     this stick is too long, let's shorten it
2. To lay by part of
   • bớt lại một ít để dành