Definition

1. Verb:

   • To intend / to aim: To have a purpose or plan to achieve a desired goal.
   • To expect / to hope (often in a negative or doubtful sense): Used to express an expectation, typically one that is unrealistic or unlikely to be fulfilled.

2. Adverb (less common):

   • About to / nearly: Indicates that something is on the verge of happening or is almost at a certain point.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to intend/aim):

  • Hắn nịnh bợ hòng được thăng chức. (He flatters others, intending to get a promotion.)
  • Nó nói dối hòng che giấu sự thật. (He lied, aiming to hide the truth.)

• Verb (to expect/hope - often negative):

  • Đừng hòng tôi giúp đỡ kẻ vô ơn. (Don't expect me to help an ungrateful person.)
  • Nó hòng lừa được tôi sao? (Does he really expect to fool me?)

• Adverb (about to/nearly):

  • Công việc đã hòng xong. (The work is nearly finished.)
  • Đã hòng tới giờ khởi hành. (The departure time is about to come.)

Advanced Usage

• "hòng" as a Conjunction: Often used to introduce a clause of purpose, meaning "in order to" or "with the aim of". It is typically placed after the main action.
  • Cô ấy làm việc cật lực hòng trả hết nợ. (She works tirelessly in order to pay off all her debts.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mong hòng (v): A reinforced form meaning "to hope/expect", emphasizing desire.
  • Hắn chỉ mong hòng được hưởng thụ. (He only hopes to enjoy himself.)

Synonyms

• Intend / Aim: To plan or mean to do something.
• Expect (negatively): To regard something as likely to happen, often used when that expectation is unfounded.
• Nearly / About to: Very close to happening.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Đừng hòng: A common imperative phrase meaning "Don't you dare expect..." or "Don't even think about...".

  • Đừng hòng ta tha thứ cho ngươi. (Don't you dare expect my forgiveness.)

• Hòng chi / Hòng gì: A rhetorical question meaning "What is the point of hoping/expecting?".

  • Việc đã thế rồi, hòng chi thay đổi? (Things are already like this, what's the point of hoping for a change?)

1. Intend, aim; expect
   • Đừng hòng học một ngoại ngữ trong một tuần
     You can't axpect to learn a foreign language in a week.
2. (ít dùng) About, nearly
   • Đã hòng hết năm
     They year is about to finish; the year is nearly at its end