quay lưng

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "quay lưng" literally means "turn one's back on." It can be used in both a physical and metaphorical sense.

Basic Meaning:

• Physical Meaning: To turn your body so that your back is facing someone or something.
• Metaphorical Meaning: To ignore or reject a person, situation, or responsibility, often implying a sense of abandonment or refusal to engage.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: "Quay lưng" is often used when someone decides not to support or help another person or when they choose to walk away from a situation. It can convey feelings of disappointment or betrayal.
• Form: Typically used in sentences where someone is actively making a choice to turn away from someone or something.

Example Sentences:

1. Physical Usage:

   • "Khi tôi nói chuyện với anh ấy, anh ấy đã quay lưng và bỏ đi."
   • (When I was talking to him, he turned his back and walked away.)

2. Metaphorical Usage:

   • "Cô ấy đã quay lưng với bạn bè của mình khi họ cần cô ấy nhất."
   • (She turned her back on her friends when they needed her the most.)

Advanced Usage:

• In a more poetic or literary context, "quay lưng" can be used to illustrate a deeper emotional conflict, such as betrayal or disillusionment with societal norms or personal relationships.
• Example: "Anh ta đã quay lưng với lý tưởng của mình và theo đuổi một con đường khác."
  • (He turned his back on his ideals and pursued a different path.)

Word Variants:

• Quay lưng lại: This is a variation that emphasizes the action of turning back more strongly, often used in more formal or literary contexts.
• Quay lưng về phía: This can specify the direction of turning one's back towards someone or something.

Different Meanings:

While "quay lưng" primarily conveys the idea of turning away or rejecting, it can also imply a temporary act of stepping away rather than a complete abandonment depending on the context.

Synonyms:

• Bỏ rơi: to abandon, to leave behind.
• Ngoảnh mặt: to turn away (can also imply ignoring).
• Từ chối: to refuse, to decline (more focused on the refusal aspect).

Academic

1. Turn one's back on