Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Thrifty with foresight: Describes a person or approach to work that is careful with resources and spending, with the specific aim of accumulating capital or building a solid foundation for future stability and growth.
   • Prudent and methodical: Characterizes a steady, well-planned, and reliable manner of managing affairs or conducting business.

2. Noun (less common):

   • A solid foundation / a sure means of livelihood: Refers to a stable base, a reliable foundation, or a secure source of income that ensures long-term stability.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông ấy là một người làm ăn rất căn cơ. (He is a very thrifty and foresighted businessman.)
  • Cách quản lý tài chính của gia đình họ rất căn cơ. (Their family's financial management is very prudent and methodical.)
• Noun:
  • Công việc ấy không có căn cơ. (That job is not a sure means of livelihood.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies more than simple frugality; it suggests strategic saving and investment for future expansion and security, commonly used in contexts of business, family finance, and personal character.

Variants and Related Words

• Căn bản (adj): fundamental, basic. (This relates to the foundational aspect but lacks the connotation of thrift and capital building.)
• Chắc chắn (adj): solid, sure. (Shares the idea of stability but not the economic behavior.)
• Tiết kiệm (adj): economical, thrifty. (A core component of , but without the explicit future-oriented goal of building capital.)

Synonyms

• Thrifty: Careful in the use of resources.
• Prudent: Acting with care for the future.
• Foresighted: Having the ability to anticipate and plan for the future.
• Methodical: Done according to a systematic or established procedure.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Làm ăn căn cơ: To do business in a thrifty, prudent, and methodical way with an eye to building capital.
  • Gia đình họ làm ăn căn cơ nên ngày càng khấm khá. (Their family does business thriftily with foresight, so they are becoming more and more well-off.)

noun

1. Sure means of livelihood
   • cái nghề buôn thúng bán bưng không có căn cơ
     hawking is no sure means of livelihood

adj

1. Thrifty with an eye to building a bigger capital
   • làm ăn căn cơ
     to do business thriftily with an eye to building a bigger capital