Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To be about winning or losing / to compete for victory: Refers to the mindset or attitude of playing a game or engaging in a contest primarily to defeat an opponent and claim victory, rather than for pure enjoyment.
   • To be effective / to make a difference / to succeed: Indicates whether an action, effort, or factor leads to a successful result or has a meaningful impact. It is often used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase (Competing for victory):

  • Họ chơi cờ để giải trí, không cốt ăn thua. (They play chess for amusement, not for the vanity of winning.)
  • Đừng có tư tưởng ăn thua trong trận đấu thân thiện này. (Don't have a competitive, win-at-all-costs mindset in this friendly match.)

• Verb phrase (Being effective/succeeding):

  • Anh ấy hết sức xoay xở mà cũng chẳng ăn thua gì. (He tried his best to manage, but it was no use.)
  • Không có sự chuẩn bị thì không ăn thua. (Without preparation, we won't make it / it won't work.)
  • Mới có thành công nhỏ thế đã ăn thua gì? (What difference does such a small success make?)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is frequently used in rhetorical or negative constructions to downplay significance or express futility (e.g., - "to be of no use/avail").
• It can imply a conditional success: an action only "ăn thua" (succeeds/matters) if specific conditions are met.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn (v): to win (in games); to eat.
• Thua (v): to lose (in games).
• Thắng thua (n): victory and defeat; the outcome of a competition.

Synonyms

• To be effective: to produce a desired or intended result.
• To matter: to be of importance or significance.
• To succeed: to achieve a desired aim or result.
• To be competitive: having a strong desire to win.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chẳng ăn thua gì: It's no use; It makes no difference.
  • Việc than vãn chẳng ăn thua gì. (Complaining is no use.)
• Có ăn thua gì đâu?: What's the point? / What difference does it make?
  • Chỉ còn một ngày, có ăn thua gì đâu? (There's only one day left, what's the point?)

1. To play for the vanity of winning
   • chơi cờ để giải trí, không cốt ăn thua
     to play chess for amusement, not for the vanity of winning
2. To make it, to succeed
   • không có tiền thì không ăn thua
     without money, we won't make it
   • phải cố gắng gấp đôi mới ăn thua
     we must work twice harder to make it