tráo
Definition
- Verb:
- To swap fraudulently / to substitute deceitfully: The core meaning of "tráo" is to secretly or dishonestly exchange one thing for another, often with the intent to cheat or deceive. It implies a surreptitious or illicit replacement.
- To switch / to exchange (with a connotation of trickery): It can describe the act of swapping items in a cunning or dishonest manner.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Tên bịp đã tráo thẻ bài. (The cheat swapped the playing cards.)
- Không được tráo hàng tốt với hàng xấu. (You must not substitute the good merchandise with the bad.)
- Hắn tráo gói thuốc để đánh lừa cảnh sát. (He switched the drug package to deceive the police.)
Advanced Usage
- "tráo trở": to be treacherous, to go back on one's word, to be deceitful. This compound emphasizes fickleness and untrustworthiness.
- Hắn là kẻ tráo trở, không thể tin được. (He is a treacherous person who cannot be trusted.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đánh tráo (v): a common compound meaning to swap fraudulently, to palm off.
- Kẻ gian đã đánh tráo ví của tôi. (The thief swapped my wallet.)
Synonyms
- To substitute (fraudulently): to replace with intent to deceive.
- To switch (surreptitiously): to exchange secretly.
- To palm off: to pass off by trickery.
Related Idioms
- Tráo mắt: to open one's eyes wide (in surprise or astonishment). This is a figurative, idiomatic use.
- Cô ấy tráo mắt nhìn vì quá ngạc nhiên. (She stared with wide eyes because she was so surprised.)