nỗi nhà báo đáp

Definition
  1. Noun Phrase:
    • A journalist's response or a reporter's reply: This literal interpretation parses the phrase as "nỗi nhà báo" (a journalist's sorrow/concern) and "đáp" (to reply). However, this is a modern, surface-level parsing and not the traditional meaning.
    • The plight of having to repay a family's kindness: This is the classical, idiomatic meaning. It originates from a literary context describing a profound moral debt or obligation to one's family, often involving a great personal sacrifice to repay it.
Usage Examples
  • Noun Phrase (Classical Meaning):
    • Câu chuyện kể về nỗi nhà báo đáp của người con gái hiếu thảo. (The story tells of the daughter's plight in having to repay her family's kindness.)
  • Noun Phrase (Modern, Literal Misinterpretation):
    • Trong buổi họp báo, nỗi nhà báo đáp được ghi nhận đầy đủ. (During the press conference, the journalist's response was fully recorded.)
Advanced Usage
  • This phrase is primarily encountered in classical Vietnamese literature or in references to it. In modern usage, it is extremely rare and would likely be misunderstood if used in its classical sense without context. It is an example of a literary idiom.
Variants and Related Words
  • Báo đáp (v): to repay, to require (a kindness or favor).
    • Cô ấy mong có ngày báo đáp ơn nghĩa. (She hopes to one day repay the kindness.)
  • Nông nỗi (n): a plight, a sorry state, a predicament.
    • Nông nỗi nào cũng phải vượt qua. (Every predicament must be overcome.)
Synonyms
  • Moral debt: an obligation to repay a kindness.
  • Filial sacrifice: a sacrifice made out of duty to one's parents or family.
  • Predicament of repayment: a difficult situation arising from the need to return a favor.
Related Idioms
  • Bán mình chuộc cha: to sell oneself to redeem one's father. This phrase is directly connected to the classical definition of "nỗi nhà báo đáp," describing the specific act of sacrifice.
    • Tấm gương bán mình chuộc cha thật cảm động. (The example of selling oneself to redeem one's father is truly moving.)
  • Mang ơn: to be indebted.
    • Anh ấy luôn mang ơn sự giúp đỡ đó. (He is always indebted for that help.)