Definition

Noun: - Right or wrong; the distinction between what is correct and incorrect, or between what is morally right and wrong. This term refers to the concepts of righteousness and fault, often used when discussing ethical judgment, moral principles, or the evaluation of an action's correctness.

Usage

This noun is used to discuss or question the moral or ethical nature of actions, decisions, or situations. It is often used in contexts involving judgment, debate, or instruction about morality. - It is typically used in a general, abstract sense. - It can be the subject or object in a sentence.

Usage Examples

• As a noun:
  • Chúng ta cần phân biệt rõ phải quấy. (We need to clearly distinguish between right and wrong.)
  • Anh ấy luôn suy nghĩ về phải quấy trước khi hành động. (He always considers right and wrong before acting.)
  • Đừng tranh cãi chuyện phải quấy nữa. (Don't argue about right and wrong anymore.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lẽ phải quấy": This phrase emphasizes the "principle" or "reason" of right and wrong.
  • Mỗi người nên có chuẩn mực riêng về lẽ phải quấy. (Everyone should have their own standard for the principle of right and wrong.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phải trái: A near-synonymous compound noun also meaning "right and wrong" or "justice and injustice." The nuance can sometimes be slightly more focused on fairness and injustice.
  • Câu chuyện đầy rẫy những điều phải trái. (The story is full of matters of right and wrong.)

Synonyms

• Đúng sai: Correct and incorrect. This pair is often more factual and logical, while "phải quấy" carries a stronger moral or ethical connotation.
• Thị phi: (Right and wrong, gossip) Often implies disputes, gossip, and petty criticisms about right and wrong.

Related Idioms

• Biết phải biết quấy: To know right from wrong; to have a sense of morality.
  • Đứa trẻ đó còn nhỏ nhưng đã biết phải biết quấy. (That child is still young but already knows right from wrong.)
• Phân biệt phải quấy: To distinguish between right and wrong.
  • Công việc của nhà đạo đức học là phân biệt phải quấy. (The job of an ethicist is to distinguish between right and wrong.)

noun

1. right or wrong