Definition

Verb: * To graft: To join a shoot or bud (a scion) from one plant onto the stem, root, or branch of another (the stock) so that they grow together as a single plant. This is a horticultural technique. * To pilfer, to skim off, to take a cut: To dishonestly take a small amount of money or materials, especially from a larger sum or supply one is entrusted with. This is a figurative, colloquial usage.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Horticulture):
  • Người làm vườn ăn xén một cành hoa hồng lên gốc cây tầm xuân. (The gardener grafted a rose branch onto a wild rose rootstock.)
  • Kỹ thuật ăn xén cây giúp tạo ra giống cây mới cho năng suất cao. (The grafting technique helps create new plant varieties with high yield.)
• Verb (Figurative/Colloquial):
  • Anh ta bị phát hiện ăn xén tiền vật tư của công ty. (He was caught skimming off money and materials from the company.)
  • Mỗi lần mua nguyên liệu, người quản lý lại ăn xén một ít. (Every time he buys supplies, the manager pilfers a little.)

Advanced Usage

• The figurative meaning is very common in everyday speech, often implying a repeated, sneaky action of taking small amounts.
• It carries a strong negative connotation of dishonesty and breach of trust.

Variants and Related Words

• Ghép cành: This is a more formal or technical synonym for the horticultural meaning of "to graft."
• Xén: As a standalone verb, it means "to trim" or "to cut off (a small part)." This is the root of the compound verb "ăn xén," combining "ăn" (to eat/take) with "xén" (to cut off a bit).

Synonyms

• For the horticultural meaning: ghép (to graft, to join), ghép cành (to graft a branch).
• For the figurative meaning: bớt xén (to reduce by skimming), thâm lạm (to embezzle, more formal), ăn bớt (to take a cut, to shortchange).

Related Phrases

• Ăn xén ăn bớt: A common reduplicative phrase emphasizing the act of pilfering or taking cuts dishonestly.
  • Công trình đó thất thoát nhiều do tư thầu ăn xén ăn bớt. (That project had a lot of losses because the contractors pilfered and skimmed.)

verb

1. to graft