cơ sự
Definition
- Noun:
- An unfortunate situation; a troublesome or regrettable event: "cơ sự" refers to an unexpected, often negative, occurrence or state of affairs that causes trouble, regret, or concern.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đến nông nỗi này mới thật là cơ sự. (To have come to this state is truly a regrettable situation.)
- Ai ngờ lại xảy ra cơ sự như vậy. (Who would have thought such an unfortunate event would happen.)
Advanced Usage
- "Thật là cơ sự": Used as an exclamation to emphasize that a situation is truly troublesome or has taken a bad turn.
- Ôi, thật là cơ sự! (Oh, this is a real mess!)
Variants and Related Words
- Sự cố (n): Incident, hitch, glitch. This is a more modern and common synonym, often used for technical or minor problems.
- Xe hỏng giữa đường là một sự cố bất ngờ. (The car breaking down on the road was an unexpected incident.)
- Biến cố (n): Event, upheaval, turning point. Implies a more significant, often historical, event.
- Tai họa (n): Disaster, catastrophe. Indicates a much more severe level of misfortune.
Synonyms
- Chuyện không hay: An unpleasant matter/event.
- Việc đáng tiếc: A regrettable matter/affair.
- Tình huống rắc rối: A troublesome situation.
Related Phrases
- Xảy ra cơ sự: For an unfortunate event to occur/happen.
- Mong rằng sẽ không xảy ra cơ sự gì. (Let's hope no unfortunate event occurs.)
Related Idioms
- "Tiền mất tật mang": This idiom describes a classic "cơ sự" – losing money and still being stuck with the problem/trouble.
- Mua phải hàng giả, đúng là tiền mất tật mang, thật cơ sự! (Buying fake goods, it's truly a case of losing money and gaining trouble, what a mess!)