hên
Definition
Adjective (tính từ) 1. To be lucky; in luck; to have good fortune: Describes a state of experiencing favorable chance or good luck, often in a specific, recent situation. * Hôm nay tôi rất hên. (Today I am very lucky.) * Anh ấy hên vì trúng vé số. (He is lucky because he won the lottery.)
Usage
- "Hên" is a common, colloquial word used in everyday Southern Vietnamese speech. It is less formal than its synonym "may mắn."
- It is typically used as a predicate adjective following "rất" (very), "quá" (too), or directly after the subject.
- It often refers to luck in a specific, immediate context rather than general good fortune in life.
Examples
- (This time you are really lucky!)
- (Passing the exam is partly due to luck.)
- (On the way, I was in luck and met all green lights.)
Advanced Usage
- "Hên xui": Literally "lucky or unlucky," this phrase refers to the element of chance or luck in an outcome.
- Chuyện đó còn tùy hên xui. (That matter still depends on luck.)
- "Hên quá!" / "Hên thiệt!": Common exclamations meaning "So lucky!" or "What luck!"
- A: Tôi vừa tìm thấy chìa khóa. B: Hên quá! (A: I just found the key. B: What luck!)
Variants and Related Words
- May / May mắn (adj): The standard and more formal synonyms for "lucky" or "fortunate." Used throughout Vietnam.
- Chúc bạn may mắn! (I wish you good luck!)
- Vận đỏ (n): A noun phrase meaning "a streak of good luck" or "a lucky period."
- Hên xui may rủi (idiom): An idiom emphasizing the ups and downs, the good and bad luck inherent in life or a situation.
Synonyms
- May (adj): Lucky.
- May mắn (adj): Fortunate, lucky.
- Có phước (adj, Southern): To be blessed, to have good fortune.
Antonyms
- Xui / Xui xẻo (adj): Unlucky.
- Rủi (adj): Unlucky, unfortunate.
- Đen đủi (adj): Very unlucky, having a streak of bad luck.
Related Idioms
- "Hên như trúng số": As lucky as winning the lottery (to be extremely lucky).
- "Hên cả làng": To be lucky for the whole village (an exaggeration for being very lucky).
adj
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to be lucky; in luck; to be in luck's way
