Definition

Verb: - To assist, to support (militarily/logistically): To provide additional forces, firepower, or resources to aid a main force or effort, especially in a military or strategic context. It implies a direct, active reinforcement to strengthen an ongoing operation or to help overcome a difficulty.

Usage

• The verb chi viện is used to describe the action of providing backup or reinforcements. It is most commonly applied in military, organizational, or large-scale operational contexts.
• It often appears in the structure: [Lực lượng/Đơn vị A] chi viện cho [Lực lượng/Địa điểm/Bộ phận B] (Unit A supports/assists Unit B).
• It is a formal term, suitable for news reports, historical accounts, and strategic discussions.

Usage Examples

• (The artillery was ordered to provide fire support for the encircled infantry.)
• (The Western provinces provided food assistance/support to the disaster-stricken region.)
• (During the battle, the reserve force promptly reinforced the main front.)

Advanced Usage

• Chi viện hỏa lực: To provide fire support.
  • Máy bay trực thăng chi viện hỏa lực từ trên không. (Helicopters provided air fire support.)
• Kịp thời chi viện: To provide timely support/reinforcements.
  • Sự chi viện kịp thời đã giúp thay đổi cục diện trận đánh. (The timely reinforcement helped change the course of the battle.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ủng hộ (verb): To support, to back. (Broader, can be moral, political, or material support, not necessarily involving direct reinforcement of an ongoing struggle.)
• Tiếp viện (verb): To reinforce, to send reinforcements. (Very close synonym, often interchangeable with chi viện, with a strong emphasis on sending additional personnel or troops.)
• Hỗ trợ (verb): To assist, to aid. (A general term for help or support, applicable in both military and non-military contexts.)
• Chi viện (noun): Can be used nominally to mean "support" or "reinforcements" in some contexts (e.g., - the supporting force).

Synonyms

• Tiếp sức: To lend strength, to bolster.
• Cứu viện: To come to the rescue, to relieve (often implies rescuing from a dire situation).
• Yểm trợ: To cover, to support (often used for covering fire or logistical backing).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Tiền tuyến - hậu phương: (Front line - rear base) A common phrase describing the relationship where the rear base chi viện for the front line.
  • Hậu phương vững chắc là điều kiện tiên quyết để chi viện tốt cho tiền tuyến. (A stable rear base is a prerequisite for providing good support to the front line.)

verb

1. To assist, to support
   • pháo binh bắn chi viện cho bộ binh
     the artillery fired in support of the infantry
   • hậu phương chi viện cho tiền tuyến
     the rear base assists the front line