hết duyên
Definition
- Phrase/Idiomatic Expression:
- To lose one's charm or appeal: Refers to a person, object, or situation no longer being attractive, interesting, or captivating as before. It often implies a fading of the initial allure or special quality.
- To be past one's prime (in terms of attractiveness): Commonly used to describe someone (often a woman in traditional contexts) who is perceived to be no longer young and beautiful.
- To become stale or tiresome: Can describe a relationship, job, or activity that has become boring or lost its novelty.
Usage Examples
Describing a person's fading appeal:
- Cô ấy tự nhận thấy mình đã hết duyên trong mắt mọi người. (She realized she had lost her charm in everyone's eyes.)
- Anh ta nghĩ mình hết duyên nên không muốn hẹn hò nữa. (He thinks he's past his prime so he doesn't want to date anymore.)
Describing an object or activity losing its appeal:
- Công việc này giờ đã hết duyên với tôi rồi. (This job has lost its appeal to me now.)
- Chiếc áo đó giờ trông hết duyên thật. (That shirt looks really unattractive now.)
Advanced Usage
"hết duyên nợ": This is a common, more fatalistic variant. It suggests that a romantic or karmic connection has completely ended, often implying a destined separation.
- Hai người họ đã hết duyên nợ với nhau. (The two of them have exhausted their karmic bond/fate with each other.)
Used in a self-deprecating or humorous way:
- Tôi hết duyên rồi, chẳng ai thèm nghe tôi nói nữa. (I've lost my charm; no one listens to me anymore.) [Said humorously]
Variants and Related Words
- Hết nết (phrase): To run out of good behavior/patience; often used when someone's bad temper shows after initially being well-behaved. It can be related but focuses on character, not charm.
- Hết thời (phrase): To be past one's time/era; to be outdated or no longer popular. This is broader and can apply to trends, fame, or objects, not just personal appeal.
- Duyên (noun): Charm, grace, appealing quality; also can mean fateful affinity or connection.
- Duyên dáng (adjective): Graceful, charming.
Synonyms
- Mất đi sức hấp dẫn: To lose one's attractiveness/appeal.
- Không còn được ưa chuộng: To no longer be favored/liked.
- Phai nhạt: To fade (can be used for feelings or colors, and metaphorically for appeal).
Related Phrases
- Hết phim hết bóng (idiom): Literally "the movie is over, the shadow is gone"; means something is completely finished, with nothing left. It can be used similarly to indicate something is utterly over, including a relationship's spark.
- Cạn tàu ráo máng (idiom): Literally "the boat is dry, the water trough is empty"; means resources or feelings are completely exhausted. It can describe a relationship where all affection is gone.
Related Idioms
- Hết duyên thì phấn cũng vô duyên: An idiom meaning "when one's charm is gone, even makeup is useless." It emphasizes that when innate appeal is lost, external adornments cannot restore it.
- Có duyên không nợ: To have affinity (duyên) but no binding obligation/debt (nợ); describes a pleasant but non-committal or fleeting relationship. It is the conceptual opposite of hết duyên nợ.