chữa

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The Vietnamese word "chữa" is a versatile verb that primarily means "to cure," "to treat," "to correct," or "to repair." Here’s a breakdown of its usage and meaning:

Basic Meanings:

1. To Cure / To Treat: Used in a medical context, referring to the act of making someone healthy again or addressing a health issue.

   • Example: "Chữa bệnh" means "to treat a disease."
   • Advanced usage: "Chữa thuốc nam" refers specifically to treating a disease with traditional herbal medicine.

2. To Correct: It can also mean to fix errors or mistakes.

   • Example: "Chữa lỗi in sai" means "to correct misprints."
   • This usage emphasizes making something right or accurate.

3. To Repair: It can refer to repairing objects or items that are broken or not functioning correctly.

   • Example: "Thợ chữa đồng hồ" means "a watchmaker," someone who repairs watches.

4. To Alter: The word can also mean to change the form of something.

   • Example: "Chữa áo dài thành áo sơ mi" means "to alter a tunic into a shirt."
   • In this context, it refers to modifying clothing.

Idiomatic Usage:

• The phrase "phòng bệnh hơn chữa bệnh" translates to "prevention is better than cure." This emphasizes the idea that it is better to prevent problems rather than trying to fix them later.

Word Variants:

• Variants of "chữa" can include specific contexts or additional words that clarify the action, such as:
  • "Chữa bệnh" (to treat an illness)
  • "Chữa cháy" (to extinguish a fire or emergency response)
  • "Chữa sổ sách" (to doctor books, meaning to manipulate or falsify records)

Synonyms:

• Some synonyms for "chữa" that might be useful include:
  • "Sửa": This means "to fix" or "to repair" and can be used in a similar context.
  • "Khắc phục": This means "to overcome" or "to remedy," often used for resolving issues.

Summary:

In summary, "chữa" is a verb that encompasses a range of meanings related to healing, correcting, repairing, and altering. It is used in various contexts, from medical treatment to correcting errors and repairing items.

Academic

verb

1. To cure, to treat, to correct, to repair
   • phòng bệnh hơn chữa bệnh
     prevention is better than cure
   • chữa thuốc nam
     to treat (a disease) by galenical medicine (with herbs)
   • chữa lỗi in sai
     to correct misprints
   • thợ chữa đồng hồ
     a watchmaker
   • xe chữa cháy
     a fire-engine
2. To alter, to doctor
   • chữa áo dài thành áo sơ mi
     to alter a tunic into a shirt
   • chữa sổ sách
     to doctor books