Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To be bloodstained / to have one's hands stained with blood: The literal meaning describes having physical blood on one's hands or body.
   • To be guilty of bloodshed / to be implicated in violence: The figurative and more common meaning implies direct involvement in killing, violence, or morally reprehensible acts that cause death or suffering.

Usage Examples

• Literal:
  • Kẻ giết người có đôi bàn tay nhúng máu. (The murderer has bloodstained hands.)
• Figurative:
  • Hắn là một tên bạo chúa, nhúng máu trong nhiều vụ thảm sát. (He is a tyrant, guilty of bloodshed in many massacres.)
  • Không ai trong chính phủ muốn nhúng máu vào vụ việc đó. (No one in the government wanted to be implicated in that bloody affair.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used in a grave, accusatory context to assign moral or criminal guilt for violent acts. It carries a strong connotation of deep personal responsibility and sin.

Variants and Related Words

• Dính máu (verb phrase): to be stained with blood; can be used more literally or for lighter figurative implications than "nhúng máu."
  • Con dao vẫn còn dính máu. (The knife still has blood on it.)

Synonyms

• Bloodstained: stained with blood.
• Guilty of bloodshed: responsible for causing death.
• Implicated in violence: involved in violent acts.

Related Idioms

• Bàn tay nhúng máu: a bloodstained hand. This is a common collocation emphasizing direct personal guilt.
  • Những kẻ có bàn tay nhúng máu phải bị trừng trị. (Those with bloodstained hands must be punished.)

1. Blood stained
   • Bàn tay nhúng máu
     Blood stained hand