Definition

1. Noun:
   • Rudder: A flat piece, usually of wood or metal, attached vertically to the stern of a boat or ship, used for steering.
   • Steering wheel: A circular device in a vehicle (like a car, truck, or tractor) that the driver turns to control the direction of travel.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thuyền trưởng nắm chặt bánh lái trong cơn bão. (The captain gripped the rudder tightly during the storm.)
  • Anh ấy quay bánh lái sang phải để rẽ vào con đường nhỏ. (He turned the steering wheel to the right to turn into the small road.)
  • Bánh lái tàu thủy thường rất lớn. (A ship's rudder is usually very large.)
  • Không bao giờ được rời tay khỏi bánh lái khi xe đang chạy. (You should never take your hands off the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nắm bánh lái": To take the helm; to be in control (literally: to hold the steering wheel/rudder).

  • Sau khi cha nghỉ hưu, anh ấy sẽ nắm bánh lái công ty. (After his father retires, he will take the helm of the company.)

• "Giao bánh lái": To hand over control (literally: to hand over the steering wheel).

  • Vị thuyền trưởng già đã giao bánh lái cho sĩ quan trẻ. (The old captain handed over the helm to the young officer.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lái (v): To steer, to drive, to pilot.

  • Anh ấy lái xe rất cẩn thận. (He drives the car very carefully.)

• Tay lái (n): Handlebar (for bicycles, motorcycles); can also colloquially refer to a steering wheel.

  • Cô ấy nắm chặt tay lái xe máy. (She gripped the motorcycle's handlebars tightly.)

• Vô-lăng (n): A direct loanword from French (volant), specifically meaning "steering wheel" (for cars).

  • Chiếc vô-lăng mới được bọc da. (The new steering wheel is leather-wrapped.)

Synonyms

• Rudder: . There is no perfect single-word synonym in Vietnamese; the meaning is specified by context (e.g., on a boat).
• Steering wheel: . This is a more specific synonym for the steering wheel of a car.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đánh bánh lái: To turn the steering wheel sharply.
  • Tài xế phải đánh bánh lái gấp để tránh chó. (The driver had to swerve [literally: hit the steering wheel sharply] to avoid the dog.)

Related Idioms

• "Cầm bánh lái": To be in the driver's seat; to be in charge.

  • Trong thời kỳ khủng hoảng, chúng ta cần một người biết cách cầm bánh lái. (During a crisis, we need someone who knows how to be in the driver's seat.)

• "Buông bánh lái": To give up control; to let go of the helm (often used figuratively).

  • Ông ấy không bao giờ buông bánh lái gia đình. (He never relinquishes control of the family.)

noun

1. Rudder; steering wheel