có lỗi
Definition
Adjective:
- At fault, to blame: Describes the state of being responsible for a mistake, error, or wrongdoing.
- Guilty: Feeling or showing remorse for having committed a fault or offense.
Verb phrase (to have + fault):
- To be at fault: To be the one who has made an error or caused something bad to happen.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Tôi biết mình có lỗi trong chuyện này. (I know I am at fault in this matter.)
- Cô ấy cảm thấy rất có lỗi vì đã làm hỏng chiếc máy tính. (She feels very guilty for breaking the computer.)
Verb phrase:
- Ai có lỗi trong vụ tai nạn này? (Who is at fault in this accident?)
- Anh ta thừa nhận anh ta có lỗi. (He admitted that he was to blame.)
Advanced Usage
"thấy mình có lỗi": to feel guilty/remorseful.
- Sau khi la mắng con, anh ấy thấy mình có lỗi. (After scolding his child, he felt guilty.)
"có lỗi với ai": to be at fault towards someone / to wrong someone.
- Tôi biết tôi có lỗi với bạn. (I know I wronged you / I am at fault towards you.)
Variants and Related Words
Lỗi (n): fault, error, mistake.
- Đây là lỗi của tôi. (This is my fault.)
Có lỗi với (prep. phrase): to be in the wrong towards (someone).
- Anh ấy có lỗi với gia đình. (He is in the wrong towards his family.)
Tội lỗi (n): sin, crime, guilt (stronger, often moral/legal connotation).
- Hắn ta chìm đắm trong tội lỗi. (He is steeped in sin.)
Synonyms
- Phạm lỗi: to commit a fault/mistake.
- Mắc lỗi: to make a mistake.
- Đáng trách: blameworthy, deserving blame.
Related Phrases / Idioms
"Ăn năn hối lỗi": to repent, to feel deep remorse (for one's faults).
- Kẻ phạm tội đã ăn năn hối lỗi. (The offender deeply repented.)
"Biết lỗi thì sửa": (idiom) If you know your fault, correct it. / To recognize a fault and correct it.
- Con biết lỗi thì sửa, đó là điều tốt. (You recognize your fault and correct it, that is a good thing.)