Definition

Verb: To break trust, to betray a confidence, to go back on one's word or promise. It describes the act of violating trust or failing to be faithful to a commitment.

Usage

• Bội tín is a formal and strong term, often used in serious contexts like business, contracts, or solemn personal promises. It implies a deliberate or significant betrayal.
• It is commonly used with words indicating the act or the person: (an act of trust-breaking), (the trust-breaker).
• Example: (That company broke trust by not delivering the goods on time.)

Examples

• (He broke faith with his oath.)
• (The contract was canceled because one party betrayed the trust.)
• (In business, breaking trust is an unacceptable act.)

Advanced Usage

• Sự bội tín (Noun): The act or instance of breaking trust; a betrayal.
  • Sự bội tín của đối tác khiến chúng tôi thiệt hại nặng. (Our partner's betrayal of trust caused us heavy losses.)
• Kẻ bội tín (Noun Phrase): A person who breaks trust; a betrayer.
  • Anh ta bị mọi người xa lánh vì là một kẻ bội tín. (He is shunned by everyone for being a trust-breaker.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bội ước (Verb): To break a promise or pact. This is very close in meaning but often emphasizes breaking a formal agreement or vow.
• Phản bội (Verb): To betray. This is a broader term that can mean betrayal in love, country, or ideals, not just broken trust in a promise.
• Thất tín (Verb): To fail to keep one's word; to be untrustworthy. It is similar but can sometimes imply a lesser degree of deliberate intent compared to bội tín.

Synonyms

• Break faith / Break trust: (Cụm động từ) Phá vỡ niềm tin.
• Go back on one's word: (Thành ngữ) Nuốt lời, không giữ lời.
• Betray a confidence: (Cụm động từ) Phản bội sự tin cậy.

Related Idioms

• Ăn cháo đá bát: (Literally: To eat the porridge and kick the bowl) To bite the hand that feeds you; to be ungrateful and betray someone who has helped you. This idiom often implies bội tín in a relationship of patronage or help.
• Qua cầu rút ván: (Literally: To cross the bridge and remove the planks) To achieve one's goal and then destroy the means that helped, showing ingratitude and betrayal.

1. To commit a break of trust, to play a confidence trick
   • hành động bội tín
     an act of trust breaking, a confidence trick