Definitions

1. Phrase:
   • To give for free, to give without charge: "cho không" means to give something to someone without expecting any payment or compensation in return.
   • To give away, to give as a gift: It implies a voluntary act of giving something without any cost to the recipient.

Usage Examples

• Phrase:
  • Anh ấy cho không tôi cuốn sách này. (He gave me this book for free.)
  • Họ cho không vé xem phim cho trẻ em. (They gave away movie tickets to children for free.)
  • Tôi không bán, tôi cho không thôi. (I'm not selling it, I'm just giving it away.)

Advanced Usage

• "cho không biếu không": An emphatic or idiomatic repetition meaning "to give away completely free of charge," often used for emphasis.
  • Cửa hàng khai trương, cho không biếu không nhiều món quà. (The store opened and gave away many gifts completely for free.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tặng (verb): To give as a gift, to present. While similar, "tặng" often carries a more formal or gift-giving connotation, whereas "cho không" emphasizes the absence of cost.
  • Công ty tặng quà cho nhân viên. (The company gives gifts to employees.)
• Biếu (verb): To offer or give (often to elders or superiors as a sign of respect). It implies a gift, not a commercial transaction.
  • Tôi biếu bà một ít trái cây. (I offered my grandmother some fruit.)

Synonyms

• Miễn phí (adjective/adverb): Free of charge, gratis.
  • Dịch vụ này được cung cấp miễn phí. (This service is provided free of charge.)
• Không lấy tiền: Not taking money.
  • Bác sĩ khám bệnh không lấy tiền. (The doctor examined patients without taking money.)

Related Phrases

• Cho không ai cũng lấy: An idiom meaning "If you give it away for free, anyone will take it," highlighting that free things are easily accepted.
  • Đồ cũ nhưng còn dùng được, cho không ai cũng lấy. (It's old but still usable; if you give it away, anyone will take it.)

Notes on Usage

• "Cho không" is a colloquial and very common phrase in everyday Vietnamese. It directly combines the verb "cho" (to give) with "không" (no, not), literally meaning "to give for nothing."
• It is typically used in informal contexts. In more formal writing or announcements, "miễn phí" or "tặng" might be preferred.
• The phrase focuses on the act of the giver not receiving payment. It does not necessarily imply the item has no value.