Definition

Verb: 1. To oppress, to suppress, to hold back: To use power or influence to limit, restrict, or hinder the development, progress, or freedom of someone or something. It implies an unfair or forceful action that creates pressure and prevents natural growth or expression. 2. To squeeze out, to crowd out: To act in a way that takes over space or opportunity, making it difficult for others to exist or compete fairly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Công ty nhỏ thường bị các tập đoàn lớn chèn ép trên thị trường. (Small companies are often oppressed/squeezed out by large corporations in the market.)
  • Anh ấy cảm thấy bị chèn ép và không có cơ hội thăng tiến trong công việc. (He feels suppressed and has no opportunity for advancement at work.)
  • Không nên chèn ép các ý kiến trái chiều trong cuộc họp. (One should not suppress opposing opinions in a meeting.)

Advanced Usage

• Bị chèn ép: To be oppressed/to be suppressed. This passive structure is very common.
  • Nhóm thiểu số đó đã bị chèn ép trong nhiều năm. (That minority group has been oppressed for many years.)
• Hành động chèn ép: An act of oppression/suppression.
  • Mọi hành động chèn ép đồng nghiệp đều bị nghiêm cấm. (Any act of oppressing colleagues is strictly prohibited.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chèn (verb): To insert, to wedge in. (e.g., - to insert an image into a document). Note: While "chèn" alone means "to insert," when combined with "ép" (to press), it forms the meaning of "to press/force into a confined space," metaphorically leading to oppression.
• Ức chế (verb): To inhibit, to repress (often used in psychological or technical contexts).
• Áp chế (verb): To dominate by force, to subjugate (stronger, often political/military connotation).
• Lấn át (verb): To overwhelm, to dominate (often in terms of sound, presence, or influence).

Synonyms

• Oppress: To govern or treat cruelly or unjustly.
• Suppress: To put an end to something by force; to prevent from being expressed or published.
• Hold back: To hinder the progress or development of.
• Crowd out: To force out by taking over space or resources.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Chèn ép lẫn nhau: To oppress each other; to engage in mutually destructive competition.
  • Trong môi trường cạnh tranh khốc liệt, các công ty dễ chèn ép lẫn nhau. (In a fiercely competitive environment, companies easily oppress each other.)

verb

1. To block, to keep back