kết bè

Definition

Verb:
- To gang together; to form a group (often for a specific purpose, sometimes with negative connotations): "kết bè" describes the action of people coming together to form a group or alliance. This grouping is often informal and can imply collusion for mutual benefit, which may be neutral or slightly negative, suggesting a clique or faction.
- To band together; to associate closely: It can also mean to associate or ally oneself closely with others, often implying a sense of solidarity or shared interest within the group.

Usage Examples

Verb:
- Họ kết bè với nhau để kinh doanh. (They ganged together to do business.)
- Một số sinh viên hay kết bè kết đảng trong lớp. (Some students often gang together and form cliques in class.)
- Không nên kết bè để bắt nạt bạn khác. (You shouldn't gang together to bully another friend.)

Advanced Usage

"kết bè kết đảng": This is a common, stronger collocation. It intensifies the meaning of "kết bè," emphasizing the formation of factions, cliques, or parties, almost always with a negative connotation of exclusivity or scheming.
- Trong công ty, việc kết bè kết đảng gây ra nhiều mâu thuẫn. (In the company, forming cliques and factions causes many conflicts.)

Variants and Related Words

Bè phái (n): Faction; clique. This noun refers to the group that is formed.
- Các bè phái trong chính trường tranh giành quyền lực. (Factions in politics compete for power.)
Kết đảng (v): To form a party/faction. Often used with "kết bè" for emphasis.
Bè bạn (n): Friends; companions. This is a neutral or positive compound meaning "friends," distinct from the often negative "kết bè."
- Anh ấy có nhiều bè bạn tốt. (He has many good friends.)

Synonyms

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Kết với nhau: To join/ally with each other. A simpler, more general phrase.
- Họ kết với nhau thành một nhóm. (They joined together to form a group.)

Related Idioms

"Kẻ cắp bà già gặp nhau": Literally "An old female thief meets [another thief]." This idiom describes a situation where two cunning or unscrupulous people find each other and team up, similar in spirit to the collusive aspect of "kết bè."
- Hai tên lừa đảo đó kết bè với nhau đúng là kẻ cắp bà già gặp nhau. (Those two swindlers ganging together is a classic case of "birds of a feather flock together.")