buông tay

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The Vietnamese phrase "buông tay" literally translates to "let go" in English. It is often used in various contexts, but generally, it means to stop doing something or to cease an action. Here’s a breakdown of its usage and meanings:

Basic Meaning:

• Stop Doing Something: When you "buông tay," you are stopping your current activity or action.

Usage Instructions:

1. Everyday Conversations: You can use "buông tay" when you want to express that you are finishing or stopping a task.
2. In a Work Context: It can refer to finishing work for the day or stopping a particular job.

Example:

• In a sentence: "Buông tay làm, anh ấy hút thuốc."
  • Translation: "As soon as he knocks off (stops working), he smokes."
  • This shows that once the person stops working, they engage in another activity (smoking).

Advanced Usage:

• Emotional Context: "Buông tay" can also imply letting go of emotional burdens or attachments, like saying goodbye to a relationship or an old habit.
• Figurative Meaning: In a broader, philosophical sense, it can refer to releasing control over something in life, like stress or anxiety.

Word Variants:

• Buông: This means "to let go" and can be used in various contexts.
• Tay: This means "hand," so "buông tay" literally means "to let go of (with) hands."

Different Meanings:

• Depending on the context, "buông tay" can signify:
  • Ending a Task: Stopping work or an activity.
  • Emotional Release: Letting go of feelings or attachments.

Synonyms:

• Ngừng: This means "to stop" and can be used similarly.
• Dừng lại: This means "to halt" or "to stop" and can also convey a similar meaning.

Conclusion:

"Buông tay" is a versatile phrase in Vietnamese that revolves around the idea of stopping or letting go, whether it's a task or an emotional state.

Academic

1. Stop work[ing], knock off
   • Buông tay làm là hút thuốc
     As soon as he knocks off, he smokes