Definition

1. Verb:

   • To subtract, to deduct: To remove one number or quantity from another in mathematics or accounting.
   • To eliminate, to eradicate: To remove or get rid of something harmful or unwanted.
   • To exclude, to not count: To leave someone or something out; to not include.

2. Conjunction/Preposition:

   • Except, apart from, excluding: Used to introduce the only person, thing, or situation that is not included in a statement.

Usage Examples

• Verb (subtract):
  • Mười trừ bảy bằng ba. (Ten minus seven equals three.)
  • Số tiền này sẽ được trừ vào lương của bạn. (This amount will be deducted from your salary.)
• Verb (eliminate):
  • Chúng ta cần trừ bỏ những thói quen xấu. (We need to eliminate bad habits.)
  • Thuốc trừ sâu. (Pesticide [lit. medicine to eliminate insects].)
• Conjunction/Preposition (except):
  • Tất cả mọi người đều đồng ý, trừ anh ấy. (Everyone agreed, except him.)
  • Cửa hàng mở cửa mọi ngày, trừ thứ Hai. (The shop is open every day except Monday.)

Advanced Usage

• "trừ phi" / "trừ khi": Conjunction meaning "unless".
  • Tôi sẽ đi, trừ khi trời mưa. (I will go, unless it rains.)
• "trừ bỏ": Verb phrase meaning "to discard, to abandon".
  • Anh ấy quyết định trừ bỏ ý định đó. (He decided to abandon that intention.)
• "trừ hao": Verb phrase meaning "to make an allowance for loss or waste".
  • Hãy mua nhiều hơn một chút để trừ hao. (Buy a little more to allow for waste.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trừ đi (v): To subtract, to take away.
  • Trừ đi chi phí, lợi nhuận không nhiều. (After subtracting the costs, the profit is not large.)
• Trừ tà (v): To exorcise evil spirits.
  • Một nghi lễ để trừ tà. (A ritual to exorcise evil spirits.)
• Trừ nợ (v): To pay off a debt by offsetting with goods or services.
  • Anh ta lấy xe máy để trừ nợ. (He used the motorbike to pay off the debt.)

Synonyms

• Subtract/Deduct: minus, take away.
• Eliminate: eradicate, remove, get rid of.
• Except: excluding, apart from, save for.

Related Idioms

• Trừ hao như thợ hồ: To make a very large allowance (lit. to make an allowance like a mason). Implies being overly cautious or pessimistic in estimates.
• Trừ bỏ tà ma: To exorcise demons. Often used figuratively to mean eliminating bad influences or evil elements.

verb

1. to eliminate, to liquidate to subtract, to give discount

conj

1. except