Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Very; extremely; to the utmost degree: Indicates the highest possible level or intensity of an action, state, or quality. It emphasizes that something is done with all possible effort or that a condition is at its most extreme.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi hết sức cố gắng để hoàn thành công việc đúng hạn. (I tried extremely hard to finish the work on time.)
  • Điều kiện thời tiết hôm nay hết sức khắc nghiệt. (The weather conditions today are extremely harsh.)
  • Cô ấy hết sức vui mừng khi nhận được tin tốt. (She was very happy to receive the good news.)

Advanced Usage

• "hết sức là" + Adjective: A slightly more emphatic or colloquial structure meaning "extremely" or "incredibly".
  • Cậu bé ấy hết sức là thông minh. (That boy is incredibly smart.)
• "một cách hết sức" + Adjective: A formal structure meaning "in an extremely... manner".
  • Anh ấy đã giải thích vấn đề một cách hết sức rõ ràng. (He explained the problem in an extremely clear manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hết mức (adv): To the maximum extent; as much as possible. Often used interchangeably with "hết sức" but can sound slightly less intense.
  • Anh ta làm việc hết mức. (He works to the best of his ability.)
• Hết lòng (adv): Wholeheartedly; with all one's heart. Focuses on sincerity and dedication rather than just intensity.
  • Tôi hết lòng ủng hộ bạn. (I support you wholeheartedly.)
• Cực kỳ (adv): Extremely; exceedingly. A close synonym, often used in similar contexts.
  • Món ăn này cực kỳ ngon. (This dish is extremely delicious.)

Synonyms

• Rất: Very. (Less intense than "hết sức").
• Vô cùng: Immensely; boundlessly.
• Vô cùng: Extremely; immensely.
• Tột cùng: Utmost; extreme (often for abstract nouns: - utmost pain).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Cố gắng hết sức: To try one's hardest; to exert maximum effort.
  • Dù thất bại, tôi biết mình đã cố gắng hết sức. (Even though I failed, I know I tried my hardest.)

Related Idioms

• Hết sức bình sinh: Using all of one's lifelong strength; with every ounce of one's being. (Literary/formal).
  • Người lính chiến đấu hết sức bình sinh để bảo vệ tổ quốc. (The soldier fought with every ounce of his being to protect the homeland.)
• Dốc hết sức lực: To pour all of one's strength and energy into something.
  • Đội bóng đã dốc hết sức lực cho trận chung kết. (The team poured all their energy into the final match.)

adv

1. very; extremely
   • hết sức tốt
     very good