This is the 899th most frequent Vietnamese word.
bù
"bù" means "to compensate" or "to make up for."
In this sentence, 'bù' is used to mean 'compensate for' or 'make up for', indicating an effort to cover a deficit.
Tôi làm thêm giờ để bù vào tiền thuê nhà.
I work overtime to compensate for the rent.
Here, 'bù lại' is used to mean 'make up for', showing substitution or compensation in a situation.
Chúng tôi không có nhiều thời gian, nhưng họ đã bù lại bằng sự nhiệt tình.
We don't have much time, but they made up for it with enthusiasm.
In this sentence, 'bù lại' introduces a contrasting positive aspect, translated as 'on the upside' or 'making up for it'.