Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To maintain dykes/dikes; to protect dykes/dikes: The action of performing work to keep dykes in good condition and strong, specifically to prevent flooding.
   • Dyke/dike maintenance: The general concept or activity of caring for and upholding the integrity of flood embankments.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Mùa mưa bão, lực lượng dân quân được huy động để hộ đê. (During the stormy season, the local militia force is mobilized to maintain the dykes.)
  • Công việc hộ đê đòi hỏi sự cẩn thận và kiên trì. (The work of dyke maintenance requires carefulness and perseverance.)
  • Nhân dân cả vùng đã chung sức hộ đê, chống lũ. (The people of the whole region joined forces to protect the dykes and fight the flood.)

Advanced Usage

• "công tác hộ đê": dyke/dike maintenance work; the task of maintaining dykes.

  • Công tác hộ đê được đặt lên hàng đầu trong mùa lũ. (Dyke maintenance work is given top priority during the flood season.)

• "lực lượng hộ đê": dyke/dike maintenance force; the team responsible for dyke upkeep.

  • Lực lượng hộ đê túc trực 24/24 giờ. (The dyke maintenance force is on standby 24/7.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đê (noun): dyke/dike; levee; embankment. The structure that 'hộ đê' aims to protect.

  • Con đê này đã ngăn lũ nhiều năm. (This dyke has held back floods for many years.)

• Tuần tra đê (verb phrase): to patrol the dyke.

  • Họ đi tuần tra đê mỗi ngày. (They go to patrol the dyke every day.)

• Gia cố đê (verb phrase): to reinforce/strengthen the dyke.

  • Việc gia cố đê đã hoàn thành trước mùa mưa. (The work of reinforcing the dyke was completed before the rainy season.)

Synonyms

• Bảo vệ đê (verb phrase): to protect the dyke. (A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with 'hộ đê'.)
• Giữ đê (verb phrase): to keep/protect the dyke. (The definition given in the reference Vietnamese-Vietnamese dictionary.)

Related Phrases

• Hộ đê, chống lũ: A common paired phrase meaning "to maintain the dykes and fight floods".
  • Nhiệm vụ của chúng tôi là hộ đê, chống lũ. (Our mission is to maintain the dykes and fight floods.)

Notes on Meaning

• Specific Cultural/Geographical Context: The term 'hộ đê' is deeply rooted in the agricultural and flood-prone regions of Vietnam, especially the Red River and Mekong Deltas. It implies a communal, often urgent, effort.
• Literal vs. Functional Meaning: Literally, it means "to protect the dyke". Functionally, it encompasses all activities—inspecting, repairing, reinforcing, and guarding—to ensure the dyke system holds against high water.

1. Maintain the dykes
   • Công tác hộ đê
     The work of maintenance of dykes