Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To become rich, to make a lot of money: "phát tài" describes the process of gaining significant wealth or profit, often implying a sudden or substantial increase in fortune.
   • To strike it rich: It conveys the idea of a fortunate financial gain or windfall.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • Năm nay công ty anh ấy kinh doanh rất tốt và phát tài. (This year his company's business is doing very well and they made a packet.)
  • Cô ấy mua cổ phiếu đúng lúc và bất ngờ phát tài. (She bought stocks at the right time and suddenly struck it rich.)
  • Hy vọng năm mới mọi người đều phát tài. (I hope everyone feathers their nest in the new year.)

Advanced Usage

• "phát tài phát lộc": This is a common, fixed four-word idiom expressing a wish for both wealth ("phát tài") and prosperity/abundance ("phát lộc"). It is often used during Lunar New Year (Tết).
  • Chúc gia đình anh một năm mới phát tài phát lộc. (I wish your family a new year of wealth and prosperity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Làm giàu (verb phrase): To get rich, to enrich oneself. This is a more general and neutral term for becoming wealthy.
• Giàu có (adjective): Rich, wealthy. Describes the state of being rich.
• Trúng số (verb phrase): To win the lottery. Refers specifically to getting rich by winning a prize.

Synonyms

• Kiếm được nhiều tiền: To earn a lot of money.
• Giàu lên: To become rich.
• Thịnh vượng: To prosper, to thrive (often used for businesses or economies).

Related Idioms

• "Buôn may bán đắt": To have good luck in buying and selling; business is brisk. This idiom describes a favorable commercial situation that can lead to "phát tài".
• "Tiền vô như nước": Money flows in like water. Describes a state of earning money very easily and abundantly.

1. Make a packet, feather one's nest