The Vietnamese word "đành" is a versatile term that conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation that one cannot change. It often implies that someone has made up their mind about something despite it not being their preferred choice or outcome.
You typically use "đành" when you want to express that you have accepted a less-than-ideal situation or when you have no other choice but to go along with something. It often precedes a verb that describes what you are resigning yourself to.
Không có áo bông, đành chịu rét.
(Without a cotton-padded coat, I have to accept suffering from the cold.)
Cô ấy đành phải từ bỏ ước mơ của mình.
(She resigned herself to giving up her dream.)
In more complex sentences, "đành" can be used to express a deeper sense of acceptance in the face of adversity or difficulty. It can carry emotional weight, indicating that the speaker has come to terms with something they did not want to accept.
In some contexts, "đành" can also describe someone as being sharp-tongued or shrewish, especially when referring to a person's manner of speaking.
In summary, "đành" is used to express resignation or acceptance of a situation, often when there are no other options.