Definition

1. Verb:
   • To break an agreement; to fail to fulfill a pledge or promise: The core meaning of "phụ ước" is to act contrary to what has been mutually agreed upon or promised, thereby violating the terms of an agreement or commitment.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bên mua đã phụ ước, không thanh toán đúng hạn như trong hợp đồng. (The buyer broke the agreement by not paying on time as stipulated in the contract.)
  • Anh ta phụ ước lời hứa hỗ trợ chúng tôi. (He failed to live up to his pledge to support us.)
  • Việc đơn phương chấm dứt hợp tác là hành vi phụ ước. (Unilaterally terminating the cooperation is an act of breaking the agreement.)

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Formal Context: "Phụ ước" is primarily used in formal, legal, or serious contexts to describe the violation of contracts, treaties, or solemn promises.
  • Quốc gia đó bị cáo buộc phụ ước hiệp định quốc tế. (That country is accused of breaching the international treaty.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phụ (verb): To betray, to be disloyal (e.g., - to be ungrateful/faithless).
• Ước (noun): Agreement, pact, promise (e.g., - treaty, - vow).
• Thất ước (verb): A close synonym meaning to break a promise or fail an agreement.
• Vi phạm hợp đồng (verb phrase): To violate/breach a contract (a more specific, modern legal term).

Synonyms

• Thất hứa: To break a promise.
• Bội ước: To betray an agreement/pact (often carries a stronger sense of betrayal).
• Vi phạm điều khoản: To violate the terms/clauses.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• : To break an agreement with someone.
  • Công ty đã phụ ước với đối tác. (The company broke its agreement with the partner.)

Related Idioms

• "Nuốt lời": To go back on one's word (less formal, more colloquial).
  • Anh ấy hứa rồi lại nuốt lời. (He made a promise and then went back on his word.)
• "Trở mặt": To turn one's back (on someone/an agreement); to renege (often implies a sudden, unfriendly change).
  • Đừng trở mặt sau khi đã ký kết. (Don't renege after having signed the deal.)

1. Break an agreement, not to live up to a pledge