Definition

1. Verb:
   • To repay, to compensate (for kindness/favors): "đền bồi" refers to the act of repaying or compensating someone, especially for their kindness, favors, or moral debts, often out of a sense of gratitude and obligation. It implies a return that matches or compensates for what one has received.

Usage

• The verb "đền bồi" is used to express the action of repaying a moral or emotional debt. It is often followed by the object of the debt (e.g., công ơn, ân tình).
• It carries a strong connotation of gratitude and moral duty, rather than a simple financial transaction.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn muốn đền bồi công ơn của thầy cô. (He always wants to repay the gratitude to his teachers.)
  • Làm sao để đền bồi được ân tình ấy? (How can I ever repay that kindness?)
  • Cô ấy đền bồi cho sự giúp đỡ của hàng xóm bằng những món quà nhỏ. (She repays her neighbor's help with small gifts.)

Advanced Usage

• "đền bồi công ơn": to repay a debt of gratitude.
  • Đó là cách anh ấy đền bồi công ơn nuôi dưỡng. (That is how he repays the debt of gratitude for being raised.)
• "đền bồi ân nghĩa": to repay kindness and favor.
  • Một lòng muốn đền bồi ân nghĩa. (A heart full of desire to repay kindness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đền (verb): to compensate, to make amends. Often used in legal or material contexts (e.g., đền bù thiệt hại - to compensate for damages).
• Báo đáp (verb): to repay, to require (often for kindness from parents or superiors). Very close in meaning to "đền bồi".
• Trả ơn (verb): to return a favor, to repay kindness. Slightly less formal than "đền bồi".

Synonyms

• Báo đáp: to repay, to require (for kindness).
• Đền đáp: to repay, to compensate (a near synonym, sometimes used interchangeably).
• Trả nghĩa: to repay an obligation.

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The core meaning of "đền bồi" is repaying a non-material debt, such as gratitude, kindness, or favors. It is an act of moral reciprocity.
• Nuance: Compared to "đền bù" (which often involves material compensation for losses), "đền bồi" is more about emotional or moral compensation for positive acts received.

1. Repay someone for his favours
   • Đền bồi công ơn cha mẹ
     To repay one's parents for what they have done for one (for having brought up one)