lỡ làng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Missed or ruined (opportunity, fate): Describes a situation where a suitable period, especially for marriage or a major life event, has been missed, or a favorable chance has been lost, often leading to regret. It frequently pertains to romantic or marital prospects.
- Past one's prime (for marriage): Specifically refers to being past the conventional or ideal age for marriage.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chị ấy sợ duyên phận sẽ lỡ làng. (She fears her marital fate will be missed/ruined.)
- Vì lo học hành, cô ấy lỡ làng mất thời con gái. (Because she focused on her studies, she missed her youthful prime [for marriage].)
- Cơ hội đó đã lỡ làng rồi. (That opportunity has been and gone/is lost.)
Advanced Usage
- The term carries a strong connotation of irreversible loss and societal expectation, often related to traditional timelines for marriage, especially for women.
- It can be used metaphorically for any major missed chance that feels fated or deeply regrettable.
Variants and Related Words
- Lỡ (verb/adjective): to miss, to be too late, or to err accidentally.
- Tôi lỡ chuyến tàu. (I missed the train.)
- Lỡ dở (adjective): incomplete, unfinished, left in an unsatisfactory state.
- Công việc còn lỡ dở. (The work is still unfinished.)
Synonyms
- Missed: failed to encounter or take advantage of.
- Ruined (chance): destroyed the prospect of success.
- Past one's prime: no longer at the most suitable age.
Related Idioms
- Lỡ làng duyên phận / Lỡ làng duyên số: to have one's destined romantic fate missed or ruined.
- Câu chuyện về một mối tình lỡ làng duyên số. (A story about a romance where fate was missed.)
- Lỡ bước lỡ làng: to have missed one's step/chance in life, often in marriage.
- Tiếc thay cho số phận lỡ bước lỡ làng. (A pity for a fate that missed its chance.)