kệ thây
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To ignore, to disregard, to not care about: Expresses an attitude of indifference, leaving someone or something alone, often with a nuance of mild annoyance or resignation. It implies a conscious decision to not pay attention or intervene.
- To let (someone) be, to leave (someone) alone: Suggests allowing someone to continue with their actions or behavior without interference, typically because trying to change them is seen as futile.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nó muốn làm gì thì kệ thây nó. (Let him do what he wants. / Just ignore him.)
- Tôi đã khuyên nó nhiều lần rồi, giờ thì kệ thây. (I've advised him many times; now I just don't care / I'm leaving him to it.)
- Kệ thây những lời bình phẩm của họ đi. (Just disregard their comments.)
Advanced Usage
- "Kệ thây" vs. "Kệ": While often used interchangeably, "kệ thây" can sound slightly more dismissive or emphatic than the standalone "kệ". The addition of "thây" reinforces the sense of "leaving it/them be."
- Tone: The phrase is informal and common in spoken Vietnamese. It can convey a range of attitudes from casual indifference to frustration. It is not vulgar but is considered colloquial.
Variants and Related Words
- Kệ (verb): The shorter, more common form meaning "to not care about," "to ignore."
- Kệ nó đi! (Just ignore him!/Forget about him!)
- Mặc kệ (verb phrase): A synonym with a similar meaning and level of informality.
- Mặc kệ nó! (Just leave him alone!)
- Thây kệ (verb phrase): A less common variant with the same meaning as "kệ thây."
Synonyms
- Bỏ mặc: To abandon, to leave to one's own devices (can sound stronger/more negative).
- Mặc (in this context): To let be, to leave alone (as in ).
- Không quan tâm: To not care about (more neutral, less colloquial).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Note: As a fixed verb phrase, "kệ thây" itself functions similarly to a phrasal verb. Related structures are other synonymous phrases.) - Kệ đi: A common imperative form meaning "Forget it!" or "Just ignore it!" - Chuyện nhỏ, kệ đi! (It's a small matter, forget it!)
Related Idioms
- Kệ xác: A more vulgar and emphatic variant meaning "to hell with it/them," expressing stronger annoyance or complete disregard.
- Nó không nghe thì kệ xác nó! (If he won't listen, then to hell with him!)
- Kệ đời: An expression of general indifference towards life's situations.
- Cứ vui lên, kệ đời! (Just be happy, who cares about anything else!)