cố chí
Definition
Noun:
- Willpower; determination; resolve: A firm and unwavering intention to achieve a specific goal, often in the face of difficulties or challenges. It refers to the mental strength and perseverance one possesses.
Verb (archaic/literary):
- To be determined to; to resolve to: To make a firm decision and commit to a course of action. This usage is less common in modern, everyday language.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Anh ấy có cố chí rất lớn. (He has great willpower.)
- Nhờ cố chí, cô ấy đã vượt qua bệnh tật. (Thanks to her determination, she overcame her illness.)
Verb (archaic/literary):
- Ông ấy cố chí lập nghiệp từ hai bàn tay trắng. (He was determined to build a career from nothing.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "cố chí" is considered formal and is often used in literary, motivational, or philosophical contexts. It conveys a stronger, more profound sense of purpose than more common words like "quyết tâm" (determination).
Variants and Related Words
- Chí (n): will, aspiration, ambition.
- Chí hướng (n): ambition, aspiration.
- Cố gắng (v): to try, to strive, to make an effort. This is a more common verb for expressing effort.
- Cô ấy cố gắng học tập. (She tries hard to study.)
Synonyms
- Willpower: the strength of will to carry out one's decisions.
- Determination: firmness of purpose; resoluteness.
- Resolve: a firm decision to do or not to do something.
Related Idioms
- Có chí thì nên: Where there's a will, there's a way. This proverb emphasizes the power of determination.
- Đừng bỏ cuộc, có chí thì nên. (Don't give up; where there's a will, there's a way.)