Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lose one's way, to get lost: To become unable to find the correct direction or path to a destination.
   • To be misguided, to stray (figuratively): To deviate from the correct course, principles, or purpose in life or thought.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning:

  • Chúng tôi đã lạc lối trong rừng. (We lost our way in the forest.)
  • Nếu không có bản đồ, bạn rất dễ lạc lối. (Without a map, you can easily get lost.)

• Figurative meaning:

  • Anh ấy cảm thấy mình đã lạc lối trong sự nghiệp. (He felt he had lost his way in his career.)
  • Đừng để những cám dỗ khiến bạn lạc lối. (Don't let temptations cause you to stray.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm cho ai đó lạc lối": to lead someone astray, to misguide someone.
  • Những lời hứa hão đã làm cho nhiều người trẻ lạc lối. (Empty promises have led many young people astray.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lạc (verb): to be lost, to stray. Often used in compounds.

  • lạc đường: to lose one's way (on a road/path).
  • lạc đề: to digress, to go off-topic.

• Lối (noun): way, path, manner.

  • lối sống: lifestyle.
  • lối đi: pathway.

Synonyms

• Đi lạc: to go astray, to get lost.
• Mất phương hướng: to lose one's bearings/direction.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a verb phrase itself, 'lạc lối' does not combine with other particles to form distinct phrasal verbs in Vietnamese. Its meaning is contained within the phrase.

Related Idioms

• Lạc lối giữa rừng người: Literally "to get lost in a forest of people"; to feel lost or anonymous in a crowded place or complex society.
  • Thành phố lớn đôi khi khiến ta cảm thấy lạc lối giữa rừng người. (The big city sometimes makes one feel lost in a sea of people.)

1. lone one's way, get lost