cất công
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To trouble oneself (to do something): To make a deliberate effort or take the trouble to do something, often implying the action requires time, effort, or inconvenience that one willingly undertakes, usually for a specific purpose or person.
- To take the trouble (to do something): To expend effort or go out of one's way to accomplish a task.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Cô ấy đã cất công nấu một bữa ăn thịnh soạn. (She took the trouble to cook a lavish meal.)
- Đừng cất công tìm nó nữa. (Don't trouble yourself to look for it anymore.)
- Anh ấy cất công đến tận nơi để giải thích. (He went to the trouble of coming in person to explain.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a tone of appreciation for the effort made or, when used in the negative, advises against an unnecessary expenditure of effort.
- Tôi rất cảm kích khi anh cất công giúp đỡ. (I greatly appreciate you taking the trouble to help.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cất công lên đường (verb phrase): To trouble oneself to embark on a journey.
- Bà ấy cất công lên đường thăm cháu. (She took the trouble to travel to visit her grandchild.)
Synonyms
- To take the trouble: To make a special effort.
- To go to the trouble: To inconvenience oneself to do something.
- To make an effort: To exert oneself to achieve something.
Related Idioms
- Cất công mất sức: To expend considerable effort and energy (often with a sense of it being strenuous).
- Cất công mất sức cả tuần mới xong việc. (I went to great trouble and effort all week to finish the work.)
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To trouble oneself (to do something)
