Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Just / Simply / Go ahead and: Used to indicate a direct, unreserved, or determined action, often disregarding hesitation or external conditions. It conveys a sense of proceeding regardless.
   • Persistently / Keep on: Used to express the continuation or repetition of an action.

2. Preposition:

   • According to / Based on / In accordance with: Used to indicate that an action is performed following a rule, principle, or given information.

3. Noun (historical/military):

   • Base (of operations): Refers to a secure area, especially a revolutionary or military base.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • Cứ nói đi! (Just say it! / Go ahead and speak!)
  • Cứ làm việc của anh đi. (Just do your work. / Keep doing your work.)
  • Nó cứ khóc. (He/She keeps on crying.)

• Preposition:

  • Cứ luật này thì anh sai. (According to this law, you are wrong.)
  • Cứ kế hoạch mà làm. (Proceed based on the plan.)

• Noun:

  • Quân đội rút về căn cứ. (The army retreated to the base.)

Advanced Usage

• "cứ như là" / "cứ như": Used to express a simile or an assumption, meaning "as if" or "as though".

  • Anh ấy cứ như là người chỉ huy vậy. (He acts as if he were the commander.)

• "cứ việc": A strong encouragement to proceed without worry, meaning "feel free to" or "just go ahead and".

  • Cứ việc nghỉ ngơi đi. (Feel free to rest. / Just go ahead and rest.)

Variants and Related Words

• Căn cứ (n): Basis, foundation, grounds (for an argument or action).

  • Anh có căn cứ gì để nói vậy? (What grounds do you have to say that?)

• Dựa cứ (v, less common): To base on, to rely on as a basis.

  • Phán quyết dựa cứ vào hiến pháp. (The ruling is based on the constitution.)

Synonyms

• Adverb: Just, simply, persistently, keep on.
• Preposition: According to, based on, following.
• Noun: Base, headquarters, stronghold.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Cứ thẳng tiến: To keep going straight ahead; to proceed directly without deviation.

  • Cứ thẳng tiến đến ngã tư. (Keep going straight ahead to the intersection.)

• Cứ thế mà...: Used to mean "just continue like that" or "carry on in that manner".

  • Mọi việc tốt đẹp, cứ thế mà làm. (Everything is fine, just carry on like that.)

verb

1. to continue; to keep on
   • cứ đi thẳng
     to keep straight on