hỏng

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The Vietnamese word "hỏng" is a verb that has several meanings related to failure or damage. Here’s a detailed explanation for new learners:

Basic Meaning

1. To Fail: "Hỏng" can mean to not succeed at something. For example, if you take a test and do not pass, you can say "tôi hỏng kỳ thi" (I failed the exam).
2. To Break Down: It is also used when something is damaged or not functioning properly. For instance, if a machine stops working, you might say "máy hỏng" (the machine is broken).
3. To Miss: It can also mean to miss an opportunity or a chance. For example, if you missed a good job opportunity, you might say "tôi đã hỏng cơ hội" (I missed the opportunity).
4. To Fail in an Affair: In a more specific context, "hỏng việc" means to fail in a job or a task.

Usage Instructions

• Verb Form: "Hỏng" is used as a verb, and you can combine it with different subjects to express failure or damage.
• Context: Use "hỏng" in both casual and formal contexts when discussing failures or malfunctions.

Examples

1. Failing an Exam:
   • "Tôi hỏng kỳ thi toán." (I failed the math exam.)
2. Breaking Down:
   • "Chiếc xe của tôi hỏng giữa đường." (My car broke down in the middle of the road.)
3. Missing an Opportunity:
   • "Tôi hỏng cơ hội làm việc ở công ty đó." (I missed the chance to work at that company.)
4. Failing a Task:
   • "Chúng tôi hỏng việc trong dự án này." (We failed in this project.)

Advanced Usage

• You can use "hỏng" in more complex sentences to describe situations involving failure or damage.
• For example, "Mọi người đều nghĩ rằng tôi sẽ thành công, nhưng tôi hỏng." (Everyone thought I would succeed, but I failed.)

Word Variants

• Hỏng hóc: This is a related phrase that means "to break down" or "to malfunction." For example, "máy hỏng hóc" (the machine is malfunctioning).

Different Meanings

• "Hỏng" can have a broader usage depending on context, such as emotional failures or disappointments. For example, in a romantic context, you might say "mối quan hệ của chúng tôi đã hỏng" (our relationship has failed).

Synonyms

• Thất bại: This means "to fail," often used in a broader sense.
• Hư: This means "broken" or "damaged," often used for physical objects.

Academic

verb

1. to fail; to miss; to break down; to fail at an examination
   • hỏng việc
     to fail in an affair