ăn bớt

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The Vietnamese phrase "ăn bớt" is a verb that translates to "take stealthy" or "to appropriate part of profits." It generally refers to the act of secretly taking or stealing a small amount from a larger sum, often in a dishonest or unethical manner. This term is commonly used in contexts involving theft or fraud.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: Use "ăn bớt" when discussing situations where someone is taking advantage of a system or stealing money, resources, or benefits in a subtle way.
• Form: It can be used in various tenses depending on the context, for example, "đã ăn bớt" (has taken stealthily), or "sẽ ăn bớt" (will take stealthily).

Examples:

1. Simple Sentence: "Anh ta ăn bớt tiền trong quỹ."
   (He took some money stealthily from the fund.)

2. Contextual Use: "Công ty này bị phát hiện đã ăn bớt lợi nhuận từ các nhân viên."
   (This company was discovered to have appropriated profits from the employees.)

Advanced Usage:

In a more advanced context, "ăn bớt" can imply collusion or unethical cooperation. For instance, in a corporate setting, it might refer to employees or managers working together to embezzle funds.

Word Variants:

• "ăn cánh": This term is related and means "to be in collusion with." It describes a situation where individuals collaborate in dishonest activities.
  • Example: "Người ta đồn rằng một vài nhân viên thuế vụ đã ăn cánh với một băng buôn lậu để làm bậy." (It is rumored that some taxmen have been in collusion with a band of smugglers for wrongdoing.)

Different Meanings:

While "ăn bớt" primarily refers to stealthy appropriation, it can also be used in broader contexts of cheating or taking advantage of someone without their knowledge.

Synonyms:

• "lén lút lấy": to secretly take.
• "chôm chỉa": to steal or pilfer.
• "tham ô": to embezzle.

Academic

verb

1. To take stealthy rake off, to get pickings, to appropriate part of profits
2. ăn cánh

verb

1. To be in collusion with, to be in confederacy with, to be in cahoots with, to be hand in glove with
   • người ta đồn rằng một vài nhân viên thuế vụ đã ăn cánh với một băng buôn lậu để làm bậy
     it is rumoured that some taxmen have been in collusion with a band of smugglers for evil-doing
   • những kẻ bất lương này rất ăn cánh với nhau
     these evildoers are as thick as thieves