vây bủa
Definition
- Verb:
- To encircle / to surround completely: The primary meaning of "vây bủa" is to form a tight, all-encompassing circle around something or someone, often with the intent of trapping, isolating, or attacking. It implies a strategic and thorough surrounding.
- To envelop / to engulf: It can describe a situation, atmosphere, or feeling that completely surrounds and overwhelms a person, such as being engulfed by silence or danger.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Quân địch đã vây bủa thành phố. (The enemy forces have encircled the city.)
- Cảm giác cô đơn vây bủa lấy anh. (A feeling of loneliness enveloped him.)
- Cảnh sát vây bủa tòa nhà để bắt tội phạm. (The police surrounded the building to capture the criminals.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in formal, literary, or dramatic contexts to emphasize the totality and inescapability of the surrounding action or feeling. It is stronger and more vivid than the simpler "vây" (to surround).
Variants and Related Words
Vây (v): to surround, to encircle. This is the core component and is more commonly used in everyday language.
- Họ vây quanh cô ấy. (They gathered around her.)
Bao vây (v): to besiege, to surround. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "vây bủa" in military or conflict contexts.
- Quân ta bao vây căn cứ địch. (Our troops besieged the enemy base.)
Synonyms
- Encircle: to form a circle around.
- Surround: to be on all sides of something.
- Envelop: to completely cover or surround.
- Besiege: to surround a place with armed forces.
Related Idioms
- Bủa vây: This is a direct variant with the same meaning as "vây bủa," where the word order is reversed. The meaning is identical.
- Khói đen bủa vây ngôi nhà. (Black smoke engulfed the house.)