trù mưu
Definition
- Verb:
- To devise a scheme / to plot: To carefully plan or invent a secret and often complex plan, especially for a specific purpose, which may be clever, strategic, or deceitful.
- To strategize / to calculate: To engage in deep, careful planning of tactics or a course of action.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Kẻ địch đang trù mưu một cuộc tấn công bất ngờ. (The enemy is plotting a surprise attack.)
- Hắn ta ngồi một mình trù mưu tính kế để chiếm đoạt tài sản. (He sat alone devising schemes to seize the assets.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "trù mưu" often carries a formal or literary tone and is frequently used in contexts involving strategy, conflict, or intrigue. It implies a level of intellectual effort and secrecy in planning.
Variants and Related Words
Trù tính (v): To plan, to calculate, to make provisions. This word is more neutral and less secretive than "trù mưu."
- Anh ấy đang trù tính cho tương lai. (He is making plans for the future.)
Mưu đồ (n): A scheme, a plot, an intrigue.
- Mưu đồ của hắn đã bị bại lộ. (His scheme was exposed.)
Synonyms
- To plot: To secretly make plans to carry out a harmful or illegal act.
- To scheme: To make clever, often secret, plans.
- To devise: To plan or invent a complex procedure or system.
- To conspire: To secretly plan with others to do something unlawful or harmful.
Related Idioms
- Trù mưu tính kế: To devise schemes and calculate plans; to engage in intricate and thorough planning.
- Suốt đêm, bọn chúng trù mưu tính kế hại người. (All night, they plotted and schemed to harm others.)