ước thúc
Definition
- Verb (archaic):
- To bind; to constrain; to restrict: To impose limits, rules, or obligations on someone or something, often through force, agreement, or social means.
- To subjugate; to bring under control: To use methods, often cunning or strategic, to dominate or control people, particularly those of talent or ability.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nhà vua dùng luật pháp để ước thúc hành vi của thần dân. (The king used laws to constrain the behavior of his subjects.)
- Chính sách đó có mục đích ước thúc sự tự do ngôn luận. (That policy aims to restrict freedom of speech.)
- Dùng thủ đoạn ước thúc nhân tài là một sai lầm. (Using tricks to subjugate talented people is a mistake.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is recognized as archaic in modern Vietnamese. Its usage is now rare and primarily found in classical, historical, or literary texts discussing control, social contracts, or domination.
Variants and Related Words
- Ràng buộc (v): to bind, to obligate. This is the modern, common equivalent.
- Hợp đồng ràng buộc cả hai bên. (The contract binds both parties.)
- Kiềm chế (v): to restrain, to hold back.
- Anh ấy phải kiềm chế cơn giận. (He had to restrain his anger.)
Synonyms
- Constrain: to compel or force by stricture or restriction.
- Restrict: to confine within bounds.
- Subjugate: to bring under control and governance.
Related Concepts
- Social Contract: An implicit agreement within a society to cooperate for mutual benefit, often involving the ước thúc of some individual freedoms.
- Governance: The action or manner of governing, which involves systems of rules (laws) that ước thúc behavior.