trì

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To hold back; to restrain; to hinder: This is the primary meaning of "trì," indicating an action of pulling back, slowing down, or preventing forward movement or progress. It often implies a counteracting force.
    • To delay; to procrastinate: In some contexts, it conveys the idea of causing or experiencing a delay, dragging something out.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • Một người kéo, một người trì. (One person pulls, the other holds back.)
    • Đừng để nỗi sợ hãi trì hoãn ước mơ của bạn. (Do not let fear delay your dreams.)
    • Chiếc xe bị trì lại đường xấu. (The vehicle was hindered by the bad road.)
Advanced Usage
  • "trì hoãn": to postpone, to delay. This is the most common compound form.

    • Cuộc họp đã bị trì hoãn đến tuần sau. (The meeting was postponed until next week.)
  • "trì trệ": to stagnate; to be sluggish or stagnant (often for economies, processes).

    • Nền kinh tế đang trong tình trạng trì trệ. (The economy is in a state of stagnation.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Trì kéo (v): to tug against; to pull in opposition.

    • Hai đội đang trì kéo sợi dây. (The two teams are tugging on the rope.)
  • Trì níu (v): to hold back persistently; to detain.

    • ấy trì níu anh lại để nói thêm vài câu. (She held him back to say a few more words.)
Synonyms
  • Hinder: to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
  • Restrain: to prevent someone or something from doing something; to keep under control.
  • Delay: to make something happen at a later time than originally planned.
Related Idioms
  • "Kéo người trì kẻ": Describes a situation of conflict or opposition where parties are pulling in different directions.
    • Dự án thất bại nội bộ kéo người trì kẻ. (The project failed because internal members were pulling in opposite directions.)