nhỡ hẹn
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To miss an appointment: To fail to meet someone at a pre-arranged time and place, or to fail to fulfill a scheduled commitment.
- To break a promise (regarding a meeting): To not do something as promised, specifically in the context of an arranged meeting or engagement.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Tôi xin lỗi vì đã nhỡ hẹn với bạn. (I am sorry for missing our appointment.)
- Anh ấy nhỡ hẹn với nha sĩ nên phải đặt lịch lại. (He missed his dentist appointment so he had to reschedule.)
- Đừng nhỡ hẹn lần này nhé. (Don't miss this appointment, okay?)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies an element of regret or inconvenience caused by the missed engagement. It is commonly used in polite apologies.
Variants and Related Words
- Thất hẹn (verb phrase): A more formal synonym meaning to break a promise or fail to keep an appointment.
- Ông ta thất hẹn với toàn bộ cuộc họp. (He failed to show up for the entire meeting.)
Synonyms
- To miss an appointment: To not attend a scheduled meeting.
- To stand someone up: (Colloquial) To fail to keep a date or appointment.
- To break a date: To cancel or not show up for a social appointment.
Related Idioms
- Nhỡ tàu, nhỡ xe: Literally "to miss the train, miss the bus"; used figuratively to mean missing an opportunity. While related conceptually to missing a scheduled event, it is distinct from .
- Cơ hội chỉ đến một lần, đừng để nhỡ tàu. (Opportunity only knocks once, don't miss it.)