Definition

1. Verb:
   • To attempt; to try (often with effort or scheming): "Mưu toan" refers to the act of attempting or trying to achieve something, typically implying a degree of planning, effort, or even scheming. It often carries a slightly negative or secretive connotation.
   • To contrive; to plot: It can also mean to devise a plan or scheme, especially a clever or secret one, often for a dubious purpose.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn mưu toan chiếm đoạt tài sản của công ty. (He attempted to seize the company's assets.)
  • Bọn tội phạm mưu toan một vụ trộm lớn. (The criminals plotted a major theft.)
  • Kẻ phản bội mưu toan lật đổ chính phủ. (The traitor contrived to overthrow the government.)

Advanced Usage

• "Mưu toan" is often used in formal or literary contexts, particularly in legal, political, or narrative descriptions of secretive or illicit plans. It emphasizes the deliberate and calculated nature of the attempt.
  • Mọi mưu toan phá hoại hòa bình đều sẽ thất bại. (All attempts to sabotage peace will fail.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mưu đồ (noun): Scheme, plot, design. Refers more to the plan itself.
  • Mưu đồ đen tối (A sinister scheme)
• Toan tính (verb): To calculate, to plan. Focuses more on the calculation aspect.
  • Toan tính thiệt hơn (To calculate gains and losses)

Synonyms

• Cố gắng: To try, to strive (more neutral, without the scheming connotation).
• Âm mưu: To plot, to conspire (stronger negative connotation, often for evil purposes).
• Dự định: To intend, to plan (neutral, for general plans).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Mưu toan hành động: To attempt an action.
  • Chúng ngăn chặn kẻ khủng bố mưu toan hành động. (They stopped the terrorist from attempting the act.)
• Mưu toan trốn thoát: To attempt to escape.
  • Tù nhân mưu toan trốn thoát qua đường hầm. (The prisoner attempted to escape through a tunnel.)

Related Idioms

• Mưu toan bất chính: Illicit attempt/plot.
  • Tòa án đã xét xử những kẻ mưu toan bất chính đó. (The court tried those who made the illicit plots.)
• Mưu sự tại nhân, thành sự tại thiên: (Idiom) Man proposes, God disposes. This proverb about planning and outcome sometimes contextualizes words like "mưu toan."

1. Attempt; contrive