Definition

1. Verb:
   • To maltreat; to ill-treat: To treat someone or something with cruelty, violence, or a severe lack of kindness and care. This action is deliberate and causes suffering.
   • To abuse: To act in a way that causes physical or psychological harm to another being, often involving a power imbalance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Không ai có quyền ngược đãi động vật. (No one has the right to maltreat animals.)
  • Những kẻ bắt cóc thường ngược đãi con tin. (Kidnappers often ill-treat hostages.)
  • Lịch sử ghi lại nhiều vụ chủ nô ngược đãi nô lệ. (History records many cases of slave owners abusing slaves.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị ngược đãi": to be maltreated/abused.
  • Đứa trẻ đó bị ngược đãi bởi chính gia đình mình. (That child was abused by his own family.)
• "hành vi ngược đãi": abusive behavior; act of maltreatment.
  • Hành vi ngược đãi người già là không thể chấp nhận được. (The maltreatment of the elderly is unacceptable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngược (adj/adverb): contrary, opposite, against; can imply opposition or inversion. When combined, it intensifies the harsh meaning of "đãi" (to treat).
• Đối xử (verb): to treat, to behave towards. This is a neutral verb; "ngược đãi" is its extreme negative form.
• Hành hạ (verb): to torment, to torture. This is a stronger synonym, often implying prolonged physical suffering.
• Bạo hành (verb/noun): to commit violence; violence/abuse. Often used in contexts like domestic violence ().

Synonyms

• Hành hạ: to torment, to torture.
• Bạc đãi: to treat badly/unkindly (can be slightly less severe than ).
• Bạo ngược: tyrannical, oppressive (often describes a ruler or regime).

Related Phrases

• Ngược đãi trẻ em: child abuse.
  • Tổ chức này chuyên giúp đỡ các nạn nhân bị ngược đãi trẻ em. (This organization specializes in helping victims of child abuse.)
• Ngược đãi tinh thần: psychological/emotional abuse.
  • Ngược đãi tinh thần cũng gây tổn thương nghiêm trọng như bạo lực thể xác. (Psychological abuse causes as serious harm as physical violence.)

Notes on Meaning

The word "ngược đãi" carries a strong moral condemnation. It is not used for minor mistreatment or simple arguments. It implies a systematic, cruel, and unjust exercise of power over someone vulnerable (e.g., children, the elderly, employees, animals). The term is common in legal, social, and ethical discussions concerning human and animal rights.

verb

1. to maltreat; to ill-treat