Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To suspend from duty: The primary meaning of "treo chức" is the administrative act of temporarily removing a person from their official position or duties, typically as a disciplinary measure or pending an investigation. It implies a halt in the exercise of the authority and responsibilities of that role.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Ông ấy bị treo chức vì vi phạm quy định. (He was suspended from his position for violating regulations.)
  • Hội đồng quyết định treo chức giám đốc. (The board decided to suspend the director.)
  • Viên chức đó đang bị treo chức chờ điều tra. (That official is suspended from duty pending investigation.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used in formal, administrative, or organizational contexts, such as government, civil service, corporate management, or professional associations.
• It carries a formal and serious connotation, indicating a provisional status that may lead to reinstatement or permanent dismissal.

Variants and Related Words

• Cách chức (v): to dismiss from office, to remove from a position. This is a more severe and often permanent action compared to the temporary nature of "treo chức."
  • Sau khi bị treo chức, ông ta bị cách chức vĩnh viễn. (After being suspended, he was permanently dismissed from his post.)

Synonyms

• Suspend: to temporarily prevent from continuing a role or activity.
• Place on administrative leave: a formal equivalent in organizational contexts.

Related Idioms

• While "treo chức" itself is a set phrase, it is conceptually related to idioms about power and punishment, such as:
  • Treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó: Literally "to hang a goat's head but sell dog meat," meaning to engage in fraud or deception. This shares the word "treo" (to hang) but is semantically distinct from the administrative action of "treo chức."