Definition

Verb: - To oppress, to domineer: To use power or strength unfairly to control, intimidate, or treat someone cruelly, often someone weaker.

Usage

The verb "hà hiếp" describes an action where a person or group uses superior power, authority, or force to bully, tyrannize, or unjustly control others. It implies a deliberate and often repeated act of intimidation or cruelty. - It is used with a direct object (the person or group being oppressed). - It often carries a strong negative moral judgment.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Kẻ mạnh không nên hà hiếp kẻ yếu. (The strong should not oppress the weak.)
  • Bọn côn đồ thường xuyên hà hiếp người dân trong khu phố. (The gangsters regularly domineer over the people in the neighborhood.)
  • Không ai có quyền hà hiếp người khác. (No one has the right to oppress others.)

Advanced Usage

• "hà hiếp" in a legal or social justice context: Often used to describe systemic abuse of power, such as by corrupt officials, bullies, or in situations of social injustice.
  • Luật pháp nghiêm cấm mọi hành vi hà hiếp người lao động. (The law strictly prohibits all acts of oppressing workers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ức hiếp (verb): To bully, to intimidate. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
• Bắt nạt (verb): To bully. This is a more common, general term for bullying, sometimes perceived as slightly less severe than "hà hiếp".
• Áp bức (verb): To oppress. This is a more formal term, often used in political or ideological contexts.

Synonyms

• Oppress: To govern or treat cruelly or unjustly.
• Domineer: To rule over or control arrogantly or tyrannically.
• Tyrannize: To exercise absolute power cruelly and oppressively.
• Bully: To use superior strength or influence to intimidate someone.

Related Idioms

• Cá lớn nuốt cá bé / Mạnh được yếu thua: This idiom ("The big fish eats the small fish" / "The strong win, the weak lose") describes the concept of the powerful dominating the weak, which is the core idea behind "hà hiếp".

verb

1. to oppress, to domineer
   • hà hiếp con trẻ
     to domineer over child