bỏ phí

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The Vietnamese phrase "bỏ phí" means "to waste" or "to squander." It is often used to describe a situation where something valuable, like time, resources, or opportunities, is not used effectively and is instead lost or spent on something unimportant.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "bỏ phí" when talking about wasting time, money, or other resources.
• It is usually followed by a noun that indicates what is being wasted.

Examples:

1. Bỏ phí thời giờ - to waste one's time

   • Example: "Nếu bạn không học hành chăm chỉ, bạn sẽ bỏ phí thời giờ của mình." (If you don't study hard, you will waste your time.)

2. Bỏ phí cơ hội - to waste an opportunity

   • Example: "Anh ấy đã bỏ phí cơ hội làm việc ở công ty lớn." (He wasted the opportunity to work at a big company.)

Advanced Usage:

• You can also use "bỏ phí" in a more figurative sense to talk about wasting potential or talent.
  • Example: "Cô ấy có nhiều tài năng nhưng đang bỏ phí chúng." (She has many talents but is wasting them.)

Word Variants:

• Bỏ means "to leave" or "to let go."
• Phí means "cost" or "expense."
• Together, they convey the idea of letting go of something valuable.

Different Meanings:

While "bỏ phí" primarily means "to waste," in some contexts, it can also imply neglecting something that should be valued.

Synonyms:

• Lãng phí - This is another common phrase meaning "to waste," often used interchangeably with "bỏ phí."
• Tiêu tán - This means "to squander" and can refer to wasting money or resources.

Academic

1. Waste
   • Bỏ phí thời giờ
     to waste one's time