Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lagging behind, backward: Describes a state of being less developed or progressing more slowly compared to others or to a standard. It often refers to development, progress, or thinking.
   • Arriéré (French loanword usage): Used in some contexts with a similar meaning to "backward" or "underdeveloped."

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Khu vực đó có nền kinh tế hậu tiến so với các vùng lân cận. (That region has a backward economy compared to neighboring areas.)
  • Tư tưởng hậu tiến sẽ kìm hãm sự phát triển của xã hội. (Backward thinking will hinder the development of society.)

Advanced Usage

• "tình trạng hậu tiến": a state of backwardness.

  • Chính phủ đang nỗ lực cải thiện tình trạng hậu tiến về giáo dục ở vùng sâu vùng xa. (The government is striving to improve the backward state of education in remote areas.)

• Used in formal or analytical contexts to discuss socio-economic, technological, or ideological development.

Variants and Related Words

• Lạc hậu (adj): Obsolete, outdated, backward. Often used interchangeably but can imply being out-of-date rather than just slow.

  • Công nghệ lạc hậu (obsolete technology)

• Chậm tiến (adj): Slow to progress. A milder or more neutral synonym.

  • Khu vực chậm tiến (a slow-to-progress area)

Synonyms

• Tụt hậu (adj/verb phrase): Falling behind, lagging.

  • Nguy cơ tụt hậu về công nghệ (The risk of falling behind in technology)

• Kém phát triển (adj phrase): Underdeveloped.

  • Vùng kinh tế kém phát triển (an underdeveloped economic region)

Related Phrases

• "tư duy hậu tiến": backward/outdated mindset.
  • Cần thay đổi tư duy hậu tiến để bắt kịp thời đại. (It is necessary to change the backward mindset to keep up with the times.)

Notes on Usage

• Formality: The word "hậu tiến" is formal and is commonly used in academic, political, or journalistic contexts to discuss development gaps.
• Connotation: It carries a negative connotation, describing a deficiency or shortcoming that needs to be addressed. It is not typically used for simple, neutral descriptions of speed.
• "Arriéré": This French-derived term is recognized but less common in modern everyday Vietnamese. "Hậu tiến" or "lạc hậu" are preferred.

1. Lagging behind, backward