bắt lính

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The Vietnamese phrase "bắt lính" can be translated to English as "to conscript" or "to press-gang." It refers to the act of forcibly enlisting someone into military service or compelling them to serve in a specific role, often against their will.

Explanation:

• Basic Meaning: "Bắt" means "to catch" or "to take," and "lính" means "soldier." Together, "bắt lính" implies taking someone to serve as a soldier, usually without their consent.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: This phrase is typically used in a military context or when discussing situations where people are compelled to join a group or organization.
• Formality: It is more commonly used in formal or historical contexts, particularly when talking about military service during wars.

Example Sentences:

1. Basic Example: "Trong thời kỳ chiến tranh, nhiều thanh niên bị bắt lính."
   (During the war, many young men were conscripted.)

2. Contextual Example: "Chính phủ đã quyết định bắt lính vì không đủ quân số."
   (The government decided to conscript soldiers due to a shortage in numbers.)

Advanced Usage:

• In Literature: "Bắt lính" can also be used metaphorically to discuss situations where individuals are forced into roles or responsibilities that they did not choose, such as in a corporate environment or community service.

Word Variants:

• Bị bắt lính: This means "to be conscripted," emphasizing the passive aspect of being caught or forced into service.

Different Meanings:

• While primarily associated with military service, "bắt lính" can also imply any coercive action where individuals are compelled to take on certain duties or responsibilities.

Synonyms:

• Tòng quân: This means "to enlist" or "to serve in the military," but it does not carry the same connotation of force.

Academic

1. Circonscript by force, press-gang