Definitions

1. Verb:
   • To repair, to fix: To make something that is broken, damaged, or not working correctly functional or good again.
   • To correct, to amend: To change something to make it right, accurate, or better; to rectify an error or fault.
   • To adjust, to alter: To make small changes to something to improve its fit, appearance, or function.
   • To prepare (archaic/formal): To make something ready, especially food for a meal or feast.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy đang sửa chiếc xe đạp bị hỏng. (He is repairing the broken bicycle.)
  • Giáo viên sửa lỗi chính tả trong bài luận. (The teacher corrects spelling mistakes in the essay.)
  • Tôi cần sửa chiếc quần này cho vừa hơn. (I need to alter these pants to fit better.)
  • Người thợ sửa đồng hồ rất cẩn thận. (The watchmaker adjusts the watch very carefully.)

Advanced Usage

• "sửa chữa": This is a compound verb meaning "to repair and maintain." It is more comprehensive than "sửa" alone.
  • Công ty chuyên sửa chữa máy tính và điện thoại. (The company specializes in repairing computers and phones.)
• "sửa soạn": A compound verb meaning "to prepare, to get ready," often used for preparing oneself or for an event.
  • Cô ấy sửa soạn thật đẹp để đi dự tiệc. (She prepares herself beautifully to go to the party.)
• "sửa mình": To correct one's own behavior or character; to reform oneself.
  • Sau lần phạm lỗi, nó hứa sẽ sửa mình. (After making a mistake, he promised to mend his ways.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sửa đổi (verb): To modify, to amend (often used for rules, laws, or documents).
  • Hiến pháp cần được sửa đổi cho phù hợp. (The constitution needs to be amended to be suitable.)
• Chữa (verb): Can mean "to repair" (similar to "sửa") or "to treat/cure" (for illnesses).
  • Bác sĩ chữa bệnh cho bệnh nhân. (The doctor treats the patient's illness.)
• Sửa sang (verb): To renovate, to tidy up (a place).
  • Họ sửa sang lại ngôi nhà cũ. (They renovated the old house.)

Synonyms

• Chỉnh (verb): To adjust, to tune (e.g., - to set a watch).
• Khắc phục (verb): To overcome, to fix (a problem or defect).
• Cải chính (verb): To make a correction, to rectify (often used for official statements or information).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Sửa lại: To fix again, to redo a correction.
  • Bài tập này sai nhiều quá, em phải sửa lại từ đầu. (This homework has too many errors, I have to redo/correct it again from the beginning.)
• Sửa cho ai một trận (colloquial): To give someone a scolding or a beating; to dress someone down.
  • Nó nghịch quá, bố nó sửa cho một trận. (He was too mischievous, his father gave him a good talking-to.)

Related Idioms

• Sửa lưng (slang): Literally "to fix the back," meaning to punish or teach someone a lesson.
  • Tên trộm bị cảnh sát sửa lưng. (The thief was taught a lesson by the police.)
• Sửa mình sửa mặt: To improve oneself both internally (character) and externally (appearance).
  • Cậu ta đã sửa mình sửa mặt sau kỳ nghỉ hè. (He improved himself inside and out after the summer break.)

verb

1. to repair to correct, to put right
   • sửa bài
     to correct a task to trim
   • sửa tóc
     to trim one's hair to dress down
   • sửa cho một trận
     to dress someone down