Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make an unusual effort; to force oneself: "gắng gượng" describes the act of trying hard to do something despite being in a state (like illness, exhaustion, or weakness) that normally makes it very difficult or impossible. It implies a struggle against one's own physical or mental limitations.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy ốm nặng nhưng vẫn gắng gượng đứng dậy chào khách. (He was seriously ill but still forced himself to stand up and greet the guests.)
  • Sau ca mổ, cô ấy gắng gượng tập đi trở lại. (After the surgery, she made a strenuous effort to practice walking again.)
  • Dù rất mệt, anh ấy vẫn gắng gượng hoàn thành báo cáo. (Although very tired, he still summoned the strength to finish the report.)

Advanced Usage

• "gắng gượng + Verb": This is the most common structure, where "gắng gượng" is followed by another verb to indicate what action one is forcing oneself to do.
  • Cậu bé gắng gượng mỉm cười dù đang rất đau. (The boy managed a weak smile despite being in great pain.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gắng (verb): To try, to endeavor. This is the root and is less intense than "gắng gượng."
  • Tôi sẽ gắng hết sức. (I will try my best.)
• Cố gắng (verb): To strive, to make an effort. This is a very common synonym for trying hard, but it doesn't inherently carry the connotation of overcoming a debilitating condition like "gắng gượng" does.
  • Cô ấy cố gắng học tiếng Anh mỗi ngày. (She tries to study English every day.)

Synonyms

• Cố sức: To exert oneself, to try with all one's strength.
• Rán sức: (Southern Vietnamese) To strive, to make an effort.
• Gồng mình: To strain oneself (often physically). This can be more intense and graphic than "gắng gượng."

Notes on Meaning

• Nuance: "Gắng gượng" strongly implies that the person is not in a normal, healthy state to perform the action. The effort is visible, strained, and often admirable due to the difficult circumstances. It is not used for routine efforts.
• Contrast with "cố gắng": While both mean "to try hard," use "gắng gượng" specifically when the effort is extraordinary and goes one's current physical or mental capacity (due to sickness, injury, extreme fatigue, deep sadness, etc.). "Cố gắng" is used for general efforts toward a goal.

1. Make an unusual effort
   • ốm mà cũng gắn gượng ngồi dậy làm vì có việc rất quan trọng
     Though he was ill, he made an unusual effort to sit up and work on some very importannt business