ai hầu chi ai
Definition
- Idiom (Proverb):
- "No one serves anyone" / "Nobody serves anybody": A Vietnamese proverb expressing a state of mutual independence or a lack of hierarchical service. It describes a situation where no person is subordinate to or waits upon another, implying equality, self-reliance, or sometimes a lack of cooperation where reciprocal help is needed.
- "Each for themselves": It can convey a meaning where everyone looks after their own affairs without assisting others, leading to a standoff or lack of mutual support.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Trong một đội mà ai cũng nghĩ "ai hầu chi ai" thì công việc sẽ không bao giờ xong. (In a team where everyone thinks "nobody serves anybody," the work will never get done.)
- Họ sống tự lập, theo kiểu "ai hầu chi ai". (They live independently, in a "no one serves anyone" manner.)
- Cả hai bên đều không chịu nhượng bộ, đúng là tình thế "ai hầu chi ai". (Both sides refuse to concede, it's truly an "each for themselves" situation.)
Advanced Usage & Nuance
This proverb is often used to critique a negative situation where a lack of cooperation or mutual assistance causes problems. It highlights the impracticality of absolute independence in a social or collaborative context. While it can describe a positive state of equality, it more frequently carries a tone of frustration or describes a deadlock.
Synonyms
- Every man for himself
- No one is subordinate to anyone
- A lack of mutual service
Related Idioms & Concepts
- "Mạnh ai nấy làm": A similar idiom meaning "everyone does their own thing," emphasizing independent action, often without coordination.
- Kế hoạch thất bại vì mọi người mạnh ai nấy làm. (The plan failed because everyone did their own thing.)
- "Một người lo bằng kho người làm": A contrasting proverb meaning "One person's planning is worth a crowd's doing," emphasizing the value of leadership and coordination, which is absent in an "ai hầu chi ai" scenario.