Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To be guilty; to be at fault: Describes the state of having committed a serious offense or wrong against someone, often implying a moral or social transgression that creates a debt of guilt.
   • To have gravely offended someone: Indicates causing serious offense to another person, placing oneself in a position of fault or blame towards them.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy cảm thấy mình đã đắc tội với người bạn thân. (He felt he had gravely wronged his close friend.)
  • Hành động đó khiến hắn đắc tội với cả dòng họ. (That action made him guilty in the eyes of the whole clan.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Historical/Classical Connotation: The word "đắc tội" carries a classical or literary tone and is less common in modern everyday speech. It often appears in formal contexts, historical narratives, or when discussing serious moral failings.
• Implies Seriousness: It is used for significant faults or offenses, not for minor mistakes. The sense of guilt or fault is substantial and often has relational or societal consequences.
• Common Structure: It is frequently used with the preposition "với" (with/to) to specify the person or entity wronged (e.g., "đắc tội với ai" – to be guilty towards someone).

Variants and Related Words

• Phạm tội (verb): To commit a crime. This is a more general and modern legal term.
  • Hắn đã phạm tội giết người. (He committed the crime of murder.)
• Có lỗi (verb phrase): To be at fault, to be sorry. This is a much more common and less severe expression for everyday apologies or minor faults.
  • Tôi có lỗi vì đã đến trễ. (I'm sorry for being late.)

Synonyms

• Mắc tội: To be guilty of a crime/sin. Very close in meaning, though "mắc tội" can sometimes feel slightly less formal than "đắc tội".
• Có tội: To be guilty. A more direct and common synonym.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Đắc tội đắc tình: An idiom describing a situation where someone is deeply guilty or at fault. It emphasizes the weight of the wrongdoing.
  • Lời nói của anh ta khiến mọi người nghĩ anh ta đắc tội đắc tình. (His words made everyone think he was deeply guilty.)

adj

1. to be guilty