Definition

1. Verb:

   • To act, to take action: To perform a deed or carry out an activity, often with a specific purpose or intention. It implies moving from thought or planning to execution.
   • To behave, to conduct oneself: To perform actions in a certain manner, often reflecting one's character or intentions.

2. Noun:

   • An action, a deed: A specific act or thing done, typically one that is deliberate and has consequences. It often refers to a single, observable event.
   • Action (as a general concept): The process or fact of doing something, often contrasted with words or thoughts.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Chúng ta cần phải hành động ngay lập tức. (We need to act immediately.)
  • Anh ấy luôn hành động một cách thận trọng. (He always acts cautiously.)

• Noun:

  • Đó là một hành động cao đẹp. (That was a noble action.)
  • Lời nói phải đi đôi với hành động. (Words must go hand in hand with action.)

Advanced Usage

• "có hành động": to take action, to act.

  • Chính phủ đã có hành động để kiểm soát lạm phát. (The government has taken action to control inflation.)

• "bắt tay vào hành động": to get down to action, to start acting.

  • Sau cuộc họp, mọi người bắt tay vào hành động. (After the meeting, everyone got down to action.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hành vi (noun): Behavior, conduct. Often refers to a pattern of actions or manner of behaving.

  • Hành vi của đứa trẻ đó rất đáng lo ngại. (That child's behavior is very concerning.)

• Hành động học (noun): Action learning (a specific educational method). (This is a compound term listed separately as per instruction.)

• Động thái (noun): Move, step, maneuver. Often used for strategic or diplomatic actions.

  • Động thái mới nhất của công ty đã gây ngạc nhiên. (The company's latest move was surprising.)

Synonyms

• Verb: Làm (to do), thực hiện (to carry out, to implement), tiến hành (to proceed with, to conduct).
• Noun: Hành vi (behavior, deed), việc làm (deed, work), cử chỉ (gesture).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Hành động theo: to act according to/follow.
  • Chúng tôi hành động theo chỉ thị. (We are acting according to instructions.)

Related Idioms

• Nói thì dễ, hành động mới khó: Easier said than done. (Literally: Speaking is easy, acting is difficult.)
• Hành động nói lên tất cả: Actions speak louder than words.

verb

1. to act