Definition

1. Verb:
   • To limit / to restrict / to confine: The primary meaning of "trói tròn" is to strictly confine or restrict something, such as actions, scope, or expenditures, within a specific and often narrow boundary or amount.
   • To circumscribe: In a more formal sense, it means to draw a line around, defining and limiting the extent of something.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chi tiêu của gia đình được trói tròn trong một trăm đồng. (The family's expenses are strictly limited to one hundred dong.)
  • Anh ấy trói tròn mình trong phòng để học bài. (He confined himself to his room to study.)
  • Kế hoạch bị trói tròn bởi ngân sách ít ỏi. (The plan was circumscribed by the meager budget.)

Advanced Usage

• "trói tròn" in economic or budgetary contexts: Often used to describe tightly constrained financial limits.
  • Dự án phải được trói tròn trong phạm vi chi phí đã phê duyệt. (The project must be confined within the approved cost scope.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giới hạn (v/n): to limit / a limit. A more common and general synonym.

  • Họ giới hạn số lượng người tham dự. (They limited the number of attendees.)

• Hạn chế (v): to restrict, to constrain.

  • Luật mới hạn chế tốc độ lái xe. (The new law restricts driving speed.)

Synonyms

• Limit: to set a point beyond which something does not extend.
• Restrict: to confine within bounds.
• Confine: to keep within limits.
• Circumscribe: to restrict within limits.

Related Idioms

• Bó buộc: to bind, to obligate. While similar, "bó buộc" often implies a binding obligation rather than a spatial or quantitative limit.

  • Hợp đồng bó buộc hai bên phải thi hành. (The contract binds both parties to perform.)

• Kìm hãm: to restrain, to hold back. Often used for potential or development.

  • Sự thiếu vốn kìm hãm sự phát triển. (The lack of capital restrains development.)