Definition

1. Verb:
   • To restrain; to hold back; to keep in check: The primary meaning of "kiềm tỏa" is to exert control over someone or something to limit their freedom, power, or scope of action, often in a confining or oppressive manner.
   • To bind; to shackle: It implies a metaphorical binding or restriction, preventing natural development or free movement.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Họ tìm cách kiềm tỏa ảnh hưởng của đối thủ. (They sought ways to restrain their rival's influence.)
  • Cảm xúc mãnh liệt đã bị kiềm tỏa bởi lý trí. (The intense emotions were held in check by reason.)
  • Đất nước đó đã thoát khỏi vòng kiềm tỏa của chủ nghĩa thực dân. (That country broke free from the shackles of colonialism.)

Advanced Usage

• "kiềm tỏa lẫn nhau": to mutually restrain; a state of mutual containment or checks and balances.
  • Hai cường quốc đang trong thế kiềm tỏa lẫn nhau. (The two superpowers are in a state of mutual restraint.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiềm chế (v): to control, to curb (often used for emotions or impulses). It can be similar but sometimes implies a more self-imposed or less oppressive control than "kiềm tỏa".

  • Anh ấy học cách kiềm chế cơn giận. (He is learning to control his anger.)

• Kìm hãm (v): to hinder, to hold back (development or progress).

  • Luật lệ lỗi thời kìm hãm sự phát triển. (Outdated regulations hinder development.)

Synonyms

• Restrain: to prevent from doing something; to keep under control.
• Constrain: to compel or force into a restricted course of action.
• Shackle: to restrict freedom of action, as if with chains.
• Curb: to keep something in check.

Related Idioms

• Thoát vòng kiềm tỏa: to break free from restraint; to escape from confinement or oppressive control.
  • Cô ấy khao khát thoát vòng kiềm tỏa của gia đình. (She longed to break free from her family's restraint.)

verb

1. to restrain; to bind