Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Intentionally, deliberately, on purpose: Indicates that an action is done consciously and with prior intent, not by accident or mistake.
   • Willfully, knowingly: Suggests an action performed with full awareness, often implying persistence or stubbornness in carrying it out despite potential consequences.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ấy cố tình làm vỡ chiếc ly. (He intentionally broke the glass.)
  • Tôi không cố tình đến muộn. (I did not deliberately arrive late.)
  • Họ cố tình phớt lờ cảnh báo. (They willfully ignored the warning.)

Advanced Usage

• "cố tình làm ngơ": to deliberately ignore, to turn a blind eye.

  • Công ty cố tình làm ngơ trước những vi phạm an toàn. (The company deliberately ignored the safety violations.)

• "hành động có tính toán cố tình": a premeditated/calculated action.

  • Đây không phải là tai nạn mà là một hành động có tính toán cố tình. (This was not an accident but a premeditated intentional act.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cố ý (Adverb/Adjective): Intentionally, deliberate. Often used interchangeably with "cố tình," though "cố ý" can sometimes feel slightly more formal or legalistic.

  • Hành vi cố ý gây thương tích. (The act of intentionally causing injury.)

• Chủ tâm (Adverb): With intent, purposely. Emphasizes the presence of a specific purpose or aim behind the action.

  • Cô ấy chủ tâm chọn màu xanh. (She purposely chose the color blue.)

Synonyms

• Có chủ đích: With a specific purpose/goal.
• Một cách cố ý: In an intentional manner.

Antonyms

• Vô tình: Unintentionally, accidentally, inadvertently.
• Vô ý: Unintentionally, carelessly.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Biết rồi cố tình làm": To know full well (the consequences) but do it anyway.
  • Anh ta biết rồi cố tình làm, nên phải chịu trách nhiệm. (He knew full well and did it anyway, so he must take responsibility.)