Definition

1. Adjective phrase:
   • Worthless; good-for-nothing: Used to describe a person, object, or outcome that is considered to have little or no value, quality, or merit.
   • Uninteresting; dull; mediocre: Used to describe something (e.g., a performance, story, or event) that is boring, uninspired, or of poor quality.

Usage Examples

• Describing a person or their character:
  • Công việc của hắn ta chẳng ra gì cả. (His work is good-for-nothing.)
  • Nó là một kẻ chẳng ra gì. (He is a worthless fellow.)
• Describing a thing or outcome:
  • Bộ phim ấy chẳng ra gì, thật chán. (That movie is uninteresting; it's really boring.)
  • Kết quả kiểm tra chẳng ra gì. (The test result is mediocre.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in a dismissive or contemptuous tone to express strong disappointment or disapproval.
• It can function similarly to a predicate adjective, following the subject directly.

Variants and Related Words

• Không ra gì: A more neutral or slightly softer variant with the same meaning.
  • Cái ý tưởng đó không ra gì. (That idea is no good.)

Synonyms

• Worthless: having no real value or use.
• Mediocre: of only moderate quality; not very good.
• Lousy (informal): very poor or bad.

Related Idioms

• Chẳng nên thân: (Literally: shouldn't become close). Implies someone is not a worthwhile person to associate with, related in sentiment to "good-for-nothing."
  • Loại người ấy chẳng nên thân. (That sort of person isn't worth befriending.)

1. Uninteresting, dull, dry
2. Good - for - nothing, worthless