Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Unfortunately / The trouble is / The problem is: Used to introduce a statement expressing a regrettable fact, difficulty, or unfortunate circumstance that complicates a situation. It conveys a sense of frustration or pity regarding an obstacle.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi muốn đi du lịch, nhưng khốn nỗi tôi không có tiền. (I want to travel, but unfortunately, I don't have any money.)
  • Anh ấy rất thông minh, khốn nỗi lại quá lười biếng. (He is very intelligent; the trouble is, he is too lazy.)
  • Khốn nỗi, khi tôi đến nơi thì cửa hàng đã đóng cửa. (Unfortunately, when I arrived, the shop was already closed.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khốn nỗi" is often used at the beginning of a clause or after a conjunction like "nhưng" (but) to highlight a contradictory or problematic fact. It adds an emotional tone of exasperation or sympathy to the statement.

Variants and Related Words

• Khốn khổ (adj): miserable, wretched (describes a state of suffering).
  • Cuộc sống khốn khổ. (A miserable life.)
• Khốn nạn (adj): despicable, wretched (often used as a strong insult).
  • Kẻ khốn nạn đó! (That despicable person!)
• Nỗi (n): a measure word for feelings or troubles; part of phrases indicating a state.
  • Nỗi buồn (sadness), nỗi khổ (suffering).

Synonyms

• Unfortunately: used to express regret or disappointment about a situation.
• The problem is: used to introduce a specific difficulty.
• Alas: a more literary or old-fashioned expression of regret (though "khốn nỗi" is common in spoken Vietnamese).

Related Idioms

• Khốn đốn: to be in a state of great difficulty or distress.
  • Gia đình anh ấy đang lâm vào cảnh khốn đốn. (His family is in a state of great distress.)
• While "khốn nỗi" itself functions as an adverbial phrase, it is rooted in the emotional vocabulary of hardship (khốn) and circumstance (nỗi).

adj

1. unfortunately