lỡ hẹn
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To miss an appointment: To fail to be present at a pre-arranged meeting or event at the agreed time.
- To break a promise: To fail to keep a commitment or a pledge that was made to someone.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Tôi xin lỗi vì đã lỡ hẹn với bạn chiều nay. (I am sorry for missing my appointment with you this afternoon.)
- Anh ấy thường lỡ hẹn và không đáng tin cậy. (He often breaks promises and is not reliable.)
- Chúng tôi đã lỡ hẹn ăn trưa vì một cuộc họp đột xuất. (We missed our lunch date because of a sudden meeting.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a tone of regret or apology, implying the failure was unintentional or due to unforeseen circumstances.
- It can be used in formal apologies ( - Sincerely apologize for missing the appointment.) or in casual explanations.
Variants and Related Words
Hủy hẹn (v): To cancel an appointment. This implies a deliberate act of cancellation before the time, whereas "lỡ hẹn" often implies failing to attend without prior cancellation.
- Cô ấy phải hủy hẹn với bác sĩ. (She had to cancel her appointment with the doctor.)
Thất hẹn (v): To fail to keep an appointment; a more formal or literary synonym for "lỡ hẹn".
- Anh ta đã thất hẹn với cả gia đình. (He failed to keep his promise to the whole family.)
Synonyms
- Miss an appointment: To not attend a scheduled meeting.
- Break a date: To fail to meet someone for a social appointment.
- Fail to keep a promise: To not do what one assured another they would do.
Related Idioms
Lỡ làng: To miss out on an opportunity, often used in the context of missing a chance for marriage or a good life path. It shares the root "lỡ" (to miss) with "lỡ hẹn".
- Cô ấy sợ lỡ làng tuổi xuân. (She is afraid of missing out on her youth/marriageable age.)
Lỡ cơ hội: To miss a chance or opportunity.
- Tôi tiếc vì đã lỡ cơ hội đó. (I regret missing that opportunity.)