có công
Definition
- Adjective:
- To have merit; to have contributed; to be deserving: Describes a person or entity that has made a positive contribution, performed a service, or achieved something worthy of recognition and gratitude. It implies effort, dedication, and a beneficial result.
- To have worked hard; to have put in effort: Emphasizes the labor, toil, or significant effort expended to accomplish a task or achieve a goal.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông ấy có công rất lớn trong việc xây dựng ngôi trường này. (He contributed greatly / was instrumental in building this school.)
- Những chiến sĩ có công với Tổ quốc. (The soldiers who have served the Fatherland / who have contributed to the Fatherland.)
- Mẹ tôi có công nuôi dạy chúng tôi nên người. (My mother worked hard / deserves credit for raising us to be good people.)
Advanced Usage
- "Có công... thì có tội...": A common proverbial structure meaning "If one contributes/achieves something... then one is also blamed for...". It highlights that success or contribution does not exempt one from criticism for later failures.
- Có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim. (Persistence is rewarded; literally: If you put in the effort to grind iron, someday it will become a needle.) Note: This is a fixed idiom where "có công" is part of a larger structure.
- "Được ghi nhận là có công": To be recognized/credited as having contributed.
- Nhà khoa học đó được ghi nhận là có công phát minh ra loại vắc-xin mới. (That scientist is credited with contributing to / as having contributed to the invention of the new vaccine.)
Variants and Related Words
- Công lao (n): Merit, contribution, service. This is the nominal form of the contribution itself.
- Công lao của thầy cô giáo thật to lớn. (The contribution of teachers is immense.)
- Lập công (v): To perform a meritorious deed, to distinguish oneself (often in a military or heroic context).
- Anh ấy đã lập công trong trận chiến. (He performed a meritorious deed in the battle.)
- Vô công (adj): To have no merit/contribution; idle.
- Có tội (adj): To be at fault; to have committed a wrong. (Often used in contrast with "có công").
Synonyms
- Góp phần: To contribute, to play a part.
- Difference: "Góp phần" is more neutral and collaborative, while "có công" carries a stronger sense of personal merit and deserving of special recognition.
- Cống hiến: To dedicate, to devote (oneself or one's work).
- Difference: "Cống hiến" emphasizes sacrifice and dedication, often for a grand cause, while "có công" focuses on the resulting merit or achievement.
- Nỗ lực (v/n): To strive, to make an effort / effort.
- Difference: "Nỗ lực" focuses on the attempt and exertion, while "có công" focuses on the successful outcome deserving credit.
Related Phrases / Idioms
- Có công mài sắt, có ngày nên kim: (Idiom) Literally: If you put in the effort to grind iron, someday it will become a needle. Meaning: Persistence and hard work will eventually lead to success.
- Công thành danh toại: (Four-character idiom) To achieve both success and fame; to have one's merits recognized and reputation established.
- Có công thì thưởng, có tội thì phạt: (Proverb) Reward merit, punish wrongdoing.