Definition

1. Adverb:
   • With all one's strength, with utmost effort: "cật sức" describes performing an action by exerting one's maximum physical or mental effort.

Usage

• "Cật sức" is used to modify a verb, emphasizing the intensity and totality of the effort put into the action. It is synonymous with "cật lực" and carries a similar meaning and grammatical function.
• It is an adverb and is placed before the main verb it modifies.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ấy cật sức đẩy chiếc xe bị hỏng. (He pushed with all his strength on the broken-down car.)
  • Cô ấy đã cật sức học tập để vượt qua kỳ thi. (She studied with utmost effort to pass the exam.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is considered somewhat literary or formal in modern usage. In everyday conversation, phrases like "hết sức" or "hết mình" are more common.
• It often conveys a sense of strenuous, determined effort against difficulty.

Variants and Related Words

• Cật lực (adverb): With all one's strength, strenuously. This is the more standard and commonly used synonym.
  • Làm việc cật lực. (To work strenuously.)

Synonyms

• Hết sức: With all one's might, extremely.
• Hết mình: Wholeheartedly, with all one's heart.
• Tận lực: To the best of one's ability, with full effort.

Antonyms

• Qua loa: Perfunctorily, superficially.
• Nửa vời: Half-heartedly.

1. như cật lực