Definition

1. Verb:
   • To command, to order: To give an authoritative instruction or directive, typically to a subordinate, requiring them to perform a specific action.
   • To boss around, to dictate: To tell someone what to do in a domineering or imperious manner, often implying an abuse of authority or a lack of consideration.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông chủ thích sai khiến nhân viên làm việc ngoài giờ. (The boss likes to order his employees to work overtime.)
  • Cô ấy không muốn bị ai sai khiến. (She doesn't want to be bossed around by anyone.)
  • Anh ta có quyền sai khiến cả một đội ngũ lớn. (He has the authority to command a large team.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị sai khiến": to be ordered/commanded, to be at someone's beck and call.

  • Nhân viên mới thường bị sai khiến làm nhiều việc vặt. (New employees are often ordered to do many menial tasks.)

• "thích sai khiến người khác": to enjoy bossing others around.

  • Người quản lý đó nổi tiếng là thích sai khiến người khác. (That manager is notorious for enjoying bossing others around.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sai bảo (verb): To instruct, to tell someone to do something (similar to 'sai khiến' but can be slightly less imperious).

  • Mẹ tôi sai bảo tôi đi chợ. (My mother told me to go to the market.)

• Ra lệnh (verb): To give an order, to command (often used in formal or military contexts).

  • Viên sĩ quan ra lệnh cho binh lính tiến lên. (The officer ordered the soldiers to advance.)

Synonyms

• Chỉ huy: To command, to lead (often used for leading a group or troops).
• Điều khiển: To control, to operate (can imply control over machines or situations, not just people).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As 'sai khiến' is a compound verb in Vietnamese, it does not form phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs do. The concept is embedded in the verb itself.

Related Idioms

• "Trên đe dưới búa": Literally "between the anvil and the hammer", meaning to be under pressure from both sides, often from being ordered around by multiple superiors.
  • Làm việc ở đó, anh ấy luôn trong tình trạng trên đe dưới búa vì bị nhiều cấp sai khiến. (Working there, he is always between a rock and a hard place because he is ordered around by many superiors.)

1. Command, order