Definition

1. Interjection / Expression:
   • "What's the use of...?" / "What's the point of...?": A rhetorical question used to express doubt, futility, or frustration about the purpose or benefit of doing something. It implies that the action in question is seen as pointless or not worth the effort.

Usage Examples

• Interjection / Expression:
  • Hơi dâu tôi phải cố gắng nữa? (What's the point of me trying anymore?)
  • Hơi dâu nói chuyện với anh ấy, anh ấy không bao giờ nghe. (What's the use of talking to him? He never listens.)
  • Công việc này chẳng có tương lai. Hơi dâu tôi ở lại? (This job has no future. What's the use of me staying?)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in informal, spoken Vietnamese to convey resignation, sarcasm, or strong skepticism. It typically introduces a rhetorical question or stands alone as a lament.

Variants and Related Words

• Để làm gì?: For what purpose? What for?

  • Làm việc này để làm gì? (What's the purpose of doing this?)

• Có ích gì?: Of what use is it? What good is it?

  • Việc đó có ích gì? (What good is that?)

Synonyms

• What's the use?: Expresses futility.
• What's the point?: Questions the purpose or reason.
• Why bother?: Suggests the action is not worth the effort.

Related Idioms

• Công dã tràng: Literally "the work of a sand crab," referring to futile, endless labor. This idiom shares the theme of pointlessness with "hơi dâu."
  • Giúp họ lần này cũng chỉ là công dã tràng thôi. (Helping them this time is just futile labor.)

1. What is the use of...?