Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To watch, to guard, to keep watch over: The primary meaning of "canh phòng" is to maintain a vigilant watch, especially for security or protective purposes. It implies a state of alertness and observation to prevent danger or unauthorized entry.
   • To be on guard, to stand guard: It describes the action of performing sentry duty or being stationed to protect a specific area or asset.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bộ đội canh phòng biên giới ngày đêm. (Soldiers watch the border day and night.)
  • Chúng tôi phải canh phòng kho hàng cẩn thận. (We must guard the warehouse carefully.)
  • Người lính canh phòng cổng thành. (The soldier is guarding the city gate.)

Advanced Usage

• "canh phòng cẩn mật": to watch closely, to maintain strict security.

  • Cảnh sát canh phòng cẩn mật khu vực hiện trường. (The police are watching the crime scene area closely.)

• "canh phòng nghiêm ngặt": to guard strictly, to be under tight security.

  • Sân bay được canh phòng nghiêm ngặt. (The airport is under strict guard.)

Variants and Related Words

• Canh gác (verb): to stand guard, to be on sentry duty. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably.

  • Anh ấy đang canh gác ở cổng. (He is standing guard at the gate.)

• Phòng thủ (verb): to defend. While related, this focuses more on the defensive action rather than the act of watching.

  • Quân đội sẵn sàng phòng thủ đất nước. (The army is ready to defend the country.)

• Tuần tra (verb): to patrol. This involves moving around an area to watch over it.

  • Cảnh sát tuần tra trên các con phố. (The police patrol the streets.)

Synonyms

• Bảo vệ (verb): to protect, to safeguard.
• Trông nom (verb): to look after, to keep an eye on (less formal and less focused on security).
• Giám sát (verb): to monitor, to supervise.

Related Phrases (Verb Phrases)

• Canh phòng đề phòng: to watch and be on guard/prepared.

  • Chúng ta phải canh phòng đề phòng mọi tình huống. (We must watch and be prepared for all situations.)

• Canh phòng chu đáo: to watch meticulously/thoroughly.

  • Hãy canh phòng chu đáo khu vực này. (Please watch this area meticulously.)

Related Idioms

• "Canh chừng" (to keep an eye out): While not identical, this idiom shares the core concept of vigilant watching in a more general or informal context.
  • Hãy canh chừng kẻ gian. (Keep an eye out for thieves.)

1. To watch
   • canh phòng biên giới
     to watch the border
   • canh phòng cẩn mật
     to watch closely, to take strict security precautions