Definition

1. Verb:
   • To collude, to conspire: To secretly plan or work together with others, typically for an illegal or harmful purpose. This word carries a strong negative connotation of secretive, dishonest cooperation.
   • To form a secret alliance: To join together in a covert agreement or partnership, often against a common enemy or for mutual (usually illicit) benefit.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai công ty đó bị cáo buộc cấu kết với nhau để thao túng giá cả thị trường. (Those two companies are accused of colluding to manipulate market prices.)
  • Nhóm tội phạm cấu kết với một số quan chức tham nhũng. (The criminal group conspired with some corrupt officials.)
  • Họ bí mật cấu kết để lật đổ chính phủ. (They secretly conspired to overthrow the government.)

Advanced Usage

• "sự cấu kết" (noun): The act or state of collusion; a secret alliance.
  • Sự cấu kết giữa cảnh sát và băng đảng là một vấn đề nghiêm trọng. (The collusion between the police and the gang is a serious problem.)

Variants and Related Words

• Câu kết (verb): This is a common variant spelling of "cấu kết" with the same meaning (to collude, to conspire). The reference dictionary entry points to this form.
• Đồng lõa (verb): To be an accomplice; to participate in a crime with others. This focuses more on complicity in a specific act rather than a general secret alliance.
• Mưu đồ (verb/noun): To plot; a plot or scheme. This emphasizes the planning aspect.

Synonyms

• Âm mưu: To plot, to scheme. Often used for secret plans, especially treacherous ones.
• Thông đồng: To collude, to connive. Similar to "cấu kết" but can sometimes imply a slightly less formal or deep alliance.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As "cấu kết" is a verb, it is typically used with prepositions like "với" (with) or "để" (to/in order to) to form phrases. - Cấu kết với (ai): To collude with (someone). - Hắn cấu kết với kẻ thù. (He colluded with the enemy.) - Cấu kết để (làm gì): To conspire to (do something). - Chúng cấu kết để chiếm đoạt tài sản. (They conspired to seize the assets.)

Related Idioms

• "Cấu kết làm bậy": To collude to do wrong/engage in mischief. A common collocation emphasizing the illicit nature of the action.
  • Bọn chúng cấu kết làm bậy, sớm muộn gì cũng bị bắt. (They collude to do wrong; they will be caught sooner or later.)