Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To stop a breach (in a dyke/levee): The action of repairing, sealing, or plugging a break or opening in an embankment, typically one built to hold back water, such as a river dyke or sea levee, to prevent flooding.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Người dân và bộ đội đang khẩn trương hàn khẩu đê sau cơn bão. (The people and soldiers are urgently stopping the breach in the dyke after the storm.)
  • Công việc hàn khẩu phải được tiến hành ngay lập tức để bảo vệ cả vùng đồng bằng. (The work of stopping the breach must be carried out immediately to protect the entire delta region.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is highly specific and is primarily used in the context of hydraulic engineering, flood control, disaster response, and historical accounts of managing water systems. It describes a critical, often emergency, engineering operation.

Variants and Related Words

• Hàn (verb): To weld; to seal; to close up. In this compound, it carries the meaning of "sealing" or "closing."
• Khẩu (noun): Mouth; opening; breach. In this compound, it refers specifically to a breach or gap.
• Đắp đê (verb phrase): To build/repair a dyke.
• Củng cố đê điều (verb phrase): To consolidate/strengthen the dyke system.

Synonyms

• Bịt lỗ hổng (ở đê): To plug a gap/hole (in a dyke). (Less technical)
• Sửa chữa chỗ vỡ đê: To repair the broken part of a dyke. (More descriptive)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Hàn gắn vết thương: To heal a wound. (A metaphorical extension using "hàn" for emotional or social repair, not directly related to "hàn khẩu" but shares the root verb "hàn".)
• Khẩu hiệu: Slogan. (Shares the character "khẩu" but with a completely different meaning of "oral statement," not related to a physical breach.)

1. Stop a breach (in a dyke)