Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bear a grudge and seek petty revenge: Refers to the mean-spirited action of a person in authority using their power to get back at a subordinate for a perceived offense.
   • To calculate; to plan; to prepare in advance: To compute or make arrangements for something beforehand, such as expenses or an event.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to bear a grudge):

  • Ông chủ cũ *trù tôi sau khi tôi thôi việc.* (My old boss held a grudge against me after I quit.)
  • Giáo viên không nên *trù học sinh.* (A teacher should not seek petty revenge against a student.)

• Verb (to calculate/plan):

  • Chúng tôi cần *trù chi phí cho chuyến đi.* (We need to calculate the expenses for the trip.)
  • Họ đang *trù một khoản tiền để mua nhà.* (They are preparing a sum of money to buy a house.)

Advanced Usage

• "trù ếm": to curse, to cast a malevolent spell (often superstitious).
  • Người ta đồn hắn biết cách trù ếm kẻ thù. (People rumor that he knows how to curse his enemies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tính toán (v): to calculate, to compute. (A more neutral synonym for the planning sense).
• Báo thù (v): to take revenge, to retaliate. (A stronger, more general term for revenge).

Synonyms

• To hold a grudge: To harbor persistent resentment.
• To scheme against: To make secret plans to harm someone.
• To calculate: To determine mathematically.
• To budget: To plan the allocation of money.

Related Idioms

• Trù dập: to oppress, to persecute (often systematically).
  • Anh ta bị sếp trù dập vì dám lên tiếng. (He was persecuted by his boss for daring to speak up.)