phản bội
Definition
Verb:
- To betray: To be disloyal or unfaithful to someone who trusts you, such as a friend, partner, or ally, by acting against their interests or revealing their secrets.
- To commit treason: To betray one's country, nation, or a sacred cause, often by aiding an enemy.
Noun:
- Betrayal / Treason: The act or instance of being traitorous or disloyal.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta đã phản bội bạn bè. (He betrayed his friends.)
- Phản bội tổ quốc là tội nặng nhất. (To betray one's homeland is the gravest crime.)
- Noun:
- Sự phản bội của hắn không thể tha thứ. (His betrayal is unforgivable.)
Advanced Usage
- The word carries a strong moral condemnation and implies a profound breach of trust, duty, or oath.
- It is often used in contexts of politics, war, and deep personal relationships (e.g., romance, friendship).
Variants and Related Words
- Kẻ phản bội (n): traitor, betrayer.
- Hắn bị coi là kẻ phản bội. (He is considered a traitor.)
- Sự phản bội (n): the act of betrayal.
Synonyms
- Betray: to be disloyal.
- Be unfaithful: to break faith, especially in a relationship.
- Commit treason: to betray one's country.
Antonyms
- Trung thành (adj): loyal, faithful.
- Bảo vệ (v): to protect, to defend.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Phản bội lời thề: to break/violate an oath; to betray a vow.
- Phản bội lời thề là hành động đáng khinh. (Betraying an oath is a despicable act.)
- Phản bội lý tưởng: to betray an ideal or a cause.
- Hành động đó đồng nghĩa với phản bội lý tưởng. (That action is synonymous with betraying the cause.)