Definition

1. Verb:
   • To serve the interests of; to benefit; to be advantageous to: The primary meaning of "làm lợi" is to act in a way that brings advantage, profit, or benefit to someone or something.
   • To play into someone's hands: In a more specific or strategic context, it can mean to act in a way that inadvertently benefits another party, often an opponent or adversary.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chính sách này làm lợi cho cộng đồng. (This policy benefits the community.)
  • Hành động của anh ta chỉ làm lợi cho đối thủ. (His actions only play into the hands of the opponent.)
  • Mọi nỗ lực đều nhằm làm lợi cho đất nước. (All efforts aim to serve the interests of the nation.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in formal, political, or strategic discussions to analyze the consequences of actions for various parties.
• It can carry a neutral or positive connotation (to benefit) or a negative one (to unwittingly aid an opponent), depending entirely on context.

Variants and Related Words

• Có lợi (adj): beneficial, advantageous.

  • Đây là một thỏa thuận có lợi. (This is a beneficial agreement.)

• Mang lại lợi ích (verb phrase): to bring benefits.

  • Dự án mang lại lợi ích cho người dân. (The project brings benefits to the people.)

Synonyms

• Benefit: to be helpful or advantageous to.
• Serve the interests of: to act for the advantage of a person or group.
• Play into the hands of: to act in a way that gives an advantage to an opponent.

Related Idioms

• "Làm lợi cho kẻ thù": to aid and abet the enemy; to act in a way that benefits the enemy.
  • Chần chừ lúc này chẳng khác nào làm lợi cho kẻ thù. (Hesitating now is no different than aiding the enemy.)