Definition

Adjective: - Disappointed, frustrated, bitter: Describes a state of deep dissatisfaction and resentment due to unfulfilled ambitions, failed aspirations, or unmet expectations, often leading to a cynical or detached attitude.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ấy là một nhà nho bất đắc chí. (He is a frustrated/bitter scholar.)
  • Sau nhiều lần thất bại, anh ta trở nên bất đắc chí. (After many failures, he became disillusioned and bitter.)
  • Vẻ mặt bất đắc chí của ông lão khiến mọi người thương cảm. (The old man's disappointed and bitter expression made everyone feel pity.)

Advanced Usage

• Literary and Historical Context: This term is deeply rooted in Vietnamese literary and historical discourse, often used to describe Confucian scholars () who, despite their talent and knowledge, failed to achieve recognition, a government position, or their life's purpose, leading to a life of reclusion or cynical commentary.
  • Trong văn học trung đại, hình tượng nhà nho bất đắc chí rất phổ biến. (In medieval literature, the image of the frustrated scholar is very common.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thất chí (v): To lose one's will or ambition; to become discouraged.
• Ngậm ngùi (adj): Bittersweet; filled with poignant sadness or regret.
• Chán nản (adj): Discouraged, disheartened (a more general term for disappointment, less intense and literary than ).

Synonyms

• Thất vọng: Disappointed.
• Chua chát: Bitter, embittered (often describing a feeling or remark).
• Bất mãn: Dissatisfied, discontented.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Bất đắc dĩ: Reluctantly, against one's will (Note: This is a different phrase, but it shares the character "bất" and is sometimes confused. is about unfulfilled ambition, while is about being forced into an action.)
  • Ông ấy đồng ý bất đắc dĩ. (He agreed reluctantly.)
• Công thành danh toại: To achieve both success and fame (This is the conceptual opposite state to being ).

adj

1. Disappointed, frustrated, bitter
   • nhà nho bất đắc chí
     a frustrated scholar