Definition

1. Verb:
   • To force, to compel: To make someone do something against their will, often through pressure, authority, or threat.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta bắt ép tôi ký vào hợp đồng. (He forced me to sign the contract.)
  • Không nên bắt ép trẻ con học quá nhiều. (You shouldn't force children to study too much.)
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy bị bắt ép phải đồng ý. (She felt compelled to agree.)

Advanced Usage

• "bắt ép ai đó làm gì": to force/compel someone to do something.
  • Luật mới bắt ép các công ty phải giảm ô nhiễm. (The new law compels companies to reduce pollution.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ép buộc (verb): To coerce, to force. A close synonym, often used in more formal or legal contexts.

  • Sự ép buộc về tinh thần là không thể chấp nhận. (Psychological coercion is unacceptable.)

• Cưỡng ép (verb): To compel by force, to impose. Implies a stronger, more aggressive form of forcing.

  • Hôn nhân cưỡng ép là bất hợp pháp. (Forced marriage is illegal.)

Synonyms

• Buộc phải: To have to, to be obliged to. Often used for obligations from rules or circumstances.
• Thúc ép: To pressure, to urge. Focuses on applying pressure rather than absolute force.

Related Phrases

• Bắt buộc (adjective/verb): Mandatory, compulsory; to obligate. While related, "bắt buộc" often describes a state of being obligatory (e.g., a mandatory subject) rather than the direct act of forcing a person.
  • Môn học này là bắt buộc. (This subject is compulsory.)

Notes on Usage

• "Bắt ép" typically describes a direct, interpersonal action where one party exerts power over another to achieve a specific action. It carries a negative connotation of unfairness or lack of freedom.
• It is less commonly used for abstract or impersonal forces. For laws or rules creating an obligation, "bắt buộc" or "buộc phải" are often more natural.
• The structure is usually bắt ép + [someone] + (phải) + [verb]. The word "phải" (must) is frequently used but can sometimes be omitted.

verb

1. To force, to compel