mặc thây
Definition
- Phrase (colloquial, often considered vulgar or strongly dismissive):
- To not care at all / to let it be (with strong indifference): Used to express complete disregard, a lack of concern, or a decision to ignore a person, situation, or consequence. It carries a stronger, more abrupt, and sometimes ruder tone than similar phrases like "mặc kệ."
Usage Examples
- Phrase:
- Nó muốn làm gì thì làm, mặc thây nó! (Let him do whatever he wants, to hell with him! / Just ignore him!)
- Công việc dở dang à? Mặc thây! (The work is unfinished? Who cares!)
- Tôi đã bảo nó không được đi. Giờ nó gặp rắc rối thì mặc thây nó. (I told him not to go. Now if he's in trouble, that's his problem.)
Advanced Usage
- This phrase is typically used in spoken Vietnamese and in informal contexts. Its vulgarity level depends on tone and context but generally signifies strong dismissal. It often ends a discussion.
Variants and Related Words
Mặc kệ (phrase): to disregard, to ignore, to let be. (A more standard and less harsh synonym).
- Mặc kệ tôi đi. (Leave me alone. / Never mind me.)
Kệ (verb, colloquial): to not care, to ignore.
- Kệ nó đi. (Forget about him/her.)
Synonyms
- To disregard completely: To pay no attention to.
- To not give a damn (slang): To have no concern whatsoever (similar vulgar tone).
- To leave someone to their fate: To stop helping or caring about what happens to someone.
Related Idioms
- Mặc xác (phrase): Similar in meaning and tone to "mặc thây," meaning "to not care at all about someone's condition or fate."
- Nó có đói cũng mặc xác nó. (If he's hungry, that's his tough luck.)