hiếp bức
Definition
- Verb:
- To oppress: To exercise authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
- To coerce / to force: To compel someone to do something against their will through intimidation or threats.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Kẻ mạnh không nên hiếp bức kẻ yếu. (The strong should not oppress the weak.)
- Chúng dùng vũ lực để hiếp bức người dân phải im lặng. (They used force to coerce the people into silence.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a severe, ongoing abuse of power, creating a state of fear and subjugation for the victim(s). It is stronger and more formal than casual synonyms like "bắt nạt" (to bully).
Variants and Related Words
- Hiếp đáp (v): to bully, to mistreat. This is a close synonym but can sometimes imply a slightly less systematic or severe form of oppression.
- Nó thường hiếp đáp các bạn cùng lớp. (He often bullies his classmates.)
Synonyms
- Oppress: to keep someone in subservience and hardship, typically by the unjust exercise of authority.
- Coerce: to persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.
- Tyrannize: to rule or treat someone with cruel and unjust power.
Related Idioms
- Cậy mạnh hiếp yếu: To use one's strength to oppress the weak; to bully.
- Hành động cậy mạnh hiếp yếu là đáng khinh. (The act of using strength to oppress the weak is despicable.)