Definition

1. Verb:
   • To waste; to squander: To use or expend something valuable (such as time, money, or resources) carelessly, extravagantly, or to no real purpose.
   • To be wasteful: To engage in or characterize the act of using more than is necessary or appropriate.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng lãng phí nước. (Don't waste water.)
  • Anh ấy lãng phí cơ hội của mình. (He squandered his opportunity.)
  • Lãng phí thời gian là lãng phí cuộc sống. (Wasting time is wasting life.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal and official contexts to criticize inefficient use of public or organizational resources.
  • Dự án bị chỉ trích vì lãng phí ngân sách. (The project was criticized for wasting the budget.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sự lãng phí (n): Waste, wastage. Refers to the act, instance, or result of wasting.

  • Sự lãng phí tài nguyên là không thể chấp nhận. (The wastage of resources is unacceptable.)

• Hoang phí (v): A stronger synonym implying reckless wastefulness or prodigality, often with a tone of greater disapproval.

  • Hoang phí tài sản của tổ tiên. (To squander ancestral wealth.)

Synonyms

• Squander: To spend or use wastefully or extravagantly.
• Waste: To use or expend carelessly or without adequate return.
• Misspend: To spend time or money foolishly or improperly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lãng phí hơi sức / lời nói: To waste one's breath/effort.

  • Giải thích với anh ta chỉ là lãng phí hơi sức. (Explaining to him is just a waste of breath.)

• Ăn tiêu lãng phí: To spend money wastefully; to live extravagantly.

  • Cô ấy sống một cuộc sống ăn tiêu lãng phí. (She lives a life of wasteful spending.)

verb

1. to waste; to squander
   • lãng phí tiền bạc
     to squander one's money