Definition

1. Noun:

   • A formidable rival or adversary: Refers to a powerful, significant, or long-standing enemy or opponent, often implying a relationship of intense and sustained competition or hostility.

2. Verb:

   • To be in a state of fierce opposition or enmity: Describes the act of being strongly opposed to someone, often involving mutual antagonism and conflict.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Hai công ty đó là kình địch của nhau trên thị trường. (Those two companies are formidable rivals in the market.)
  • Anh ta luôn coi tôi như một kình địch. (He always regards me as a powerful adversary.)

• Verb:

  • Anh em sao mà cứ kình địch nhau? (Why should brothers be in enmity with each other?)
  • Hai phe trong hội đồng quản trị đang kình địch nhau. (The two factions on the board are fiercely opposing each other.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a connotation of a clash between equals or powerful entities, not just minor disagreements. It is used in contexts of business, politics, sports, or personal rivalries where the stakes are high.

Variants and Related Words

• Kình địch lâu năm (n): A long-standing, arch-rivalry.

  • Trận đấu giữa hai kình địch lâu năm. (A match between two long-standing arch-rivals.)

• Sự kình địch (n): The state or condition of being rivals; rivalry, enmity.

  • Sự kình địch giữa họ đã kéo dài hàng thập kỷ. (The enmity between them has lasted for decades.)

Synonyms

• Rival: A person or entity competing with another for the same objective.
• Adversary: An opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
• Foe: An enemy or opponent.

Related Idioms

• While "kình địch" itself is not commonly part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to phrases describing intense rivalry.
• Cạnh tranh khốc liệt: To compete fiercely (can describe the context of "kình địch").
  • Thị trường này tồn tại sự cạnh tranh khốc liệt giữa các kình địch. (This market has fierce competition among rivals.)

1. Be in opposition, be in enmity
   • Anh em sao mà cứ kình địch nhau
     Why should brothers be in enmity with each other