Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To eliminate harm / to remove a damaging agent: The core meaning of "trừ hại" is to take action to completely remove or destroy something that causes damage, danger, or negative effects.
   • To eradicate a pest / to exterminate a harmful organism: In agricultural and environmental contexts, it specifically refers to the act of eliminating pests, weeds, or other harmful biological agents.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Nông dân phun thuốc để trừ hại sâu bọ. (Farmers spray pesticide to eliminate harmful insects.)
  • Chương trình này nhằm trừ hại các loài cỏ dại xâm lấn. (This program aims to eradicate invasive weed species.)
  • Mục đích chính là trừ hại, bảo vệ mùa màng. (The main purpose is to remove the threat and protect the crops.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal, technical, or official contexts related to agriculture, public health, and environmental management.
• It implies a systematic or purposeful action for the greater good, such as protecting public health, crops, or ecosystems.

Variants and Related Words

• Diệt trừ (v): to exterminate, to wipe out. Often used interchangeably with "trừ hại" but can have a stronger, more final connotation.
  • Diệt trừ muỗi ngăn bệnh sốt xuất huyết. (Exterminate mosquitoes to prevent dengue fever.)
• Phòng trừ (v): to prevent and control. Often used as a combined strategy.
  • Áp dụng biện pháp phòng trừ dịch bệnh. (Apply disease prevention and control measures.)

Synonyms

• Eradicate: to destroy completely.
• Exterminate: to kill all of a particular group.
• Eliminate: to completely remove or get rid of.

Related Idioms

• Trừ gian diệt ác: to eliminate villains and destroy evil. This is a more literary and moralistic phrase, extending the concept of "trừ hại" to human actions.
  • Lực lượng cảnh sát quyết tâm trừ gian diệt ác. (The police force is determined to eliminate villains and destroy evil.)