Definition

Adjective phrase: * Resourceful, adept at managing situations: Describes a person who is clever, skillful, and capable of handling difficult or complicated circumstances effectively, often by finding practical and sometimes ingenious solutions. * Having gumption; being shrewd: Implies initiative, practical intelligence, and the ability to navigate challenges to achieve a desired outcome.

Usage Examples

• As an adjective phrase:
  • Trong hoàn cảnh khó khăn, anh ấy tỏ ra rất khéo xoay. (In difficult circumstances, he proved to be very resourceful.)
  • Cô ấy khéo xoay lắm, việc gì cũng giải quyết được. (She is very shrewd; she can handle anything.)
  • Để thành công trong nghề này, bạn cần phải khéo xoay. (To succeed in this profession, you need to be resourceful.)

Advanced Usage

• Implied meaning: The term often carries a slightly informal or colloquial tone and can imply a degree of street-smartness or pragmatic cleverness, not just theoretical intelligence. It sometimes suggests the ability to "work the system" or maneuver within constraints.
  • Hắn ta khéo xoay trong các vụ làm ăn nên kiếm được nhiều tiền. (He is shrewd in business dealings, so he earns a lot of money.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khéo léo (adj): Skillful, dexterous, tactful. (Focuses more on physical skill or social tact).
• Tháo vát (adj): Capable, competent, handy. (Emphasizes general capability and getting things done).
• Linh hoạt (adj): Flexible, adaptable.

Synonyms

• Resourceful
• Shrewd
• Astute
• Débrouillard(e) (French loanword used in Vietnamese with a similar meaning)
• Having gumption (idiomatic)

Related Phrases

• Đầu óc khéo xoay: A resourceful/shrewd mind.
  • Anh ấy có đầu óc khéo xoay trong kinh doanh. (He has a shrewd mind for business.)
• Khéo xoay sở: To manage resourcefully, to cope ingeniously. (This is a common compound verb where "xoay" is part of "xoay sở").
  • Với số tiền ít ỏi, bà ấy vẫn khéo xoay sở để nuôi cả gia đình. (With little money, she still manages resourcefully to support the whole family.)

Notes on Usage

• "Khéo xoay" is primarily used to describe a person's character or ability. It is less commonly used to describe a single action.
• While often positive, the term can sometimes carry a neutral or mildly negative connotation depending on context, suggesting cunning or craftiness rather than pure ingenuity.

1. Have gumption; be resourceful