làm lợi
Definition
- 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.)