Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To accuse, to denounce formally: "cáo tố" refers to the act of formally accusing or denouncing someone, typically in a legal or official context, for wrongdoing or a crime. It implies a public or official declaration of fault.
   • To bring charges against: It can mean to formally bring charges or lodge a complaint against an individual or entity before an authority.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Công tố viên đã cáo tố bị can về tội tham nhũng. (The prosecutor accused the defendant of corruption.)
  • Người dân trong làng cáo tố tên địa chủ với chính quyền. (The villagers denounced the landlord to the authorities.)

Advanced Usage

• "cáo tố ai đó về tội gì": to accuse someone of a specific crime.

  • Họ cáo tố công ty về tội gây ô nhiễm môi trường. (They accused the company of environmental pollution.)

• "bị cáo tố": to be accused/denounced.

  • Ông ấy bị cáo tố là đã nhận hối lộ. (He was accused of taking bribes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cáo buộc (verb): to allege, to charge. Often used interchangeably with "cáo tố" but can be slightly less formal.

  • Cáo buộc thường được sử dụng trong cả ngữ cảnh pháp lý và thông thường. (Allegation is often used in both legal and common contexts.)

• Cáo giác (verb): to denounce, to inform against. Similar to "cáo tố" but can emphasize the act of reporting to authorities.

• Tố cáo (verb): to denounce, to expose. A more common and general term for denouncing wrongdoing.
• Bản cáo trạng (noun): indictment, formal charges. The formal written document outlining the charges.

Synonyms

• Buộc tội: to charge with a crime.
• Kết tội: to convict, to find guilty (often after a process).
• Tố giác: to report (a crime), to inform on.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a single verb, "cáo tố" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its usage is typically direct (cáo tố + someone + về + crime).

Related Idioms

• Đứng ra cáo tố: to step forward to accuse/denounce.
  • Không ai dám đứng ra cáo tố kẻ có thế lực đó. (No one dared to step forward to denounce that influential person.)