chớ hòng
Definition
- Adverb (used in negative imperative constructions):
- Don't even think about it; don't you dare; don't hope to: A strong, prohibitive phrase used to emphatically forbid an action or to express that there is absolutely no hope or possibility of something happening. It conveys a sense of warning, threat, or absolute denial.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Chớ hòng ta tha thứ cho ngươi! (Don't you dare think I will forgive you!)
- Chớ hòng trốn thoát được. (Don't even think about escaping. / There's no hope of escaping.)
- Nó chớ hòng lừa được tôi. (He shouldn't hope to deceive me. / He can forget about deceiving me.)
Advanced Usage
- "Chớ hòng mà...": This structure reinforces the prohibition, often followed by the action that is forbidden.
- Chớ hòng mà đòi hỏi thêm. (Don't you dare demand more.)
- Used to express a firm prediction that something will not be allowed or will not happen.
- Với sự giám sát này, chúng chớ hòng có cơ hội. (With this surveillance, they stand no chance.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đừng hòng: A slightly less formal variant with the same meaning.
- Đừng hòng tôi giúp đỡ. (Don't expect me to help.)
- Chớ: An archaic/formal prohibitive adverb meaning "do not".
- Hòng: Means "to hope/intend to", but is almost exclusively used in these negative constructions (chớ hòng, đừng hòng).
Synonyms
- Đừng mơ: Don't dream (of it).
- Đừng có: A colloquial prohibitive phrase (Don't...).
- Không có cửa: (Slang) No way; not a chance.
Related Phrases
- Chớ hòng trông mong: Don't hope or expect.
- Chớ hòng trông mong sự thương hại. (Don't expect any pity.)
Related Idioms
- Chớ hòng có ngày: Often used to say someone will never have the day/chance to do something.
- Làm việc xấu như vậy thì chớ hòng có ngày an lành. (If you do bad things like that, don't expect to ever have a peaceful day.)