khởi hành

Definition

Verb:
- To start off; to start away; to depart; to set off/out: "khởi hành" means to begin a journey, to leave a place to go to another destination. It is used for vehicles (like trains, buses, planes, ships) or people when they begin their travel.

Usage Examples

Verb:
- Chuyến tàu sẽ khởi hành lúc 10 giờ sáng. (The train will depart at 10 a.m.)
- Chúng tôi đã khởi hành từ Hà Nội từ sớm. (We set out from Hanoi early.)
- Máy bay khởi hành đúng giờ. (The plane took off on time.)

Advanced Usage

"Chuẩn bị khởi hành": to be ready to depart; to prepare for departure.
- Hành khách vui lòng lên máy bay, chúng ta chuẩn bị khởi hành. (Passengers, please board the plane; we are preparing for departure.)
"Giờ khởi hành": departure time.
- Anh nhớ kiểm tra giờ khởi hành trên vé nhé. (Remember to check the departure time on your ticket.)

Variants and Related Words

Khởi động (verb): to start up, to activate (often for engines, machines, or projects). It focuses on the initial activation, not necessarily the act of traveling.
- Anh ta khởi động xe và lái đi. (He started the car and drove away.)
Xuất phát (verb): to start from, to set out from. It is very close in meaning to "khởi hành" but can emphasize the starting point more.
- Cuộc đua xe đạp xuất phát từ quảng trường thành phố. (The bicycle race started from the city square.)
Lên đường (verb phrase): to hit the road, to set off. This is a more colloquial expression.
- Trời sáng rồi, chúng ta lên đường thôi. (It's daylight; let's hit the road.)

Synonyms

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As "khởi hành" is a single verb, it does not have phrasal verb forms. The concept is expressed through the verb itself or related phrases.

Related Idioms

"Khởi hành thuận buồm xuôi gió": to set off with favorable winds; to have a smooth and auspicious start to a journey or endeavor.
- Chúc các bạn khởi hành thuận buồm xuôi gió! (I wish you a smooth and successful departure!)

verb