Definition

1. Verb:
   • To kill, to murder (especially a villainous or wicked person): The act of taking someone's life, typically with premeditation and often implying the victim is a bad or immoral person. This word carries a strong connotation of a deliberate, often ruthless act.
   • To strike a blow, to deliver a fatal attack: To execute a decisive, lethal action against someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tên cướp đã bị cảnh sát hạ thủ tại chỗ. (The robber was killed on the spot by the police.)
  • Hắn không ngần ngại hạ thủ kẻ phản bội. (He did not hesitate to kill the traitor.)
  • Âm mưu hạ thủ đối thủ chính trị đã bị bại lộ. (The plot to assassinate the political rival was exposed.)

Advanced Usage

• "ra tay hạ thủ": To take action to kill; to carry out the killing. This phrase emphasizes the decisive act of executing the lethal action.
  • Cuối cùng, hắn cũng ra tay hạ thủ. (Finally, he took action and killed.)
• The word is often used in contexts of crime, justice (e.g., eliminating a villain), espionage, or historical/political narratives involving assassination.

Variants and Related Words

• Hạ sát (Verb): A synonym meaning to kill, to slaughter. It is often used in similar contexts, especially in news or formal reports.
  • Kẻ tình nghi đã bị hạ sát trong cuộc đấu súng. (The suspect was killed in the shootout.)
• Ám sát (Verb): To assassinate. Specifically implies a planned, secret murder, often of a public figure.
• Giết (Verb): The general, neutral verb for "to kill". "Hạ thủ" is a more specific and stylistically stronger term than "giết".

Synonyms

• Giết (to kill): The most common and general term.
• Ám sát (to assassinate): To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, often for political reasons.
• Xử tử (to execute): To kill as a legal punishment.
• Tiêu diệt (to eliminate, to destroy): Often used in military or strategic contexts.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Hạ thủ thời cơ: To strike/kill at the opportune moment. This phrase combines the core meaning with strategic timing.
  • Đợi đối thủ sơ hở rồi hạ thủ thời cơ. (Wait for the opponent to be off guard, then strike at the opportune moment.)

Related Idioms

• "Hạ thủ lúc địch không phòng bị": This is a strategic principle meaning "to strike when the enemy is unprepared." It originates from military tactics but can be used metaphorically.
  • Chiến thuật của họ là hạ thủ lúc địch không phòng bị. (Their tactic is to strike when the enemy is unprepared.)

1. Kill (nói về kẻ bất lương)