Definition

1. Verb:
   • To break (by striking or through an action): To cause something to separate into pieces, typically by hitting it, dropping it, or through a careless action. It implies the object was shattered or damaged.
   • To break due to lack of attention / to break by accident: To cause something to break as a result of carelessness, not paying attention, or by mistake.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cậu bé đánh vỡ cái ly. (The boy broke the glass.)
  • Cô ấy vô tình đánh vỡ chiếc bình cổ. (She accidentally broke the antique vase.)
  • Đừng chơi ở đây, kẻo đánh vỡ đồ. (Don't play here, or you might break things.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a nuance of regret or accident, highlighting the breakage was unintended and a result of a momentary action.

Variants and Related Words

• Làm vỡ (v): to break, to cause to break. This is a more general synonym.

  • Tôi làm vỡ cửa kính. (I broke the window pane.)

• Đập vỡ (v): to smash, to break by hitting deliberately.

  • Anh ta tức giận đập vỡ chiếc điện thoại. (He was angry and smashed the phone.)

Synonyms

• Break: To separate into pieces.
• Shatter: To break suddenly and violently into many pieces.
• Smash: To break something noisily into many pieces.

Related Idioms

• Đánh vỡ đồ như chơi: To break things easily, as if it were a game. Used to describe a very careless person.
  • Đứa trẻ nghịch ngợm, đánh vỡ đồ như chơi. (The mischievous child breaks things as if it were nothing.)

1. Break by lack of attention