Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Perfunctorily, for form's sake: Describes an action done merely to fulfill an obligation or appearance, without genuine care, effort, or thoroughness. It implies a superficial completion just to get something over with.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ấy chỉ chào hỏi qua chuyện rồi đi thẳng. (He just greeted everyone perfunctorily and went straight in.)
  • Đừng làm qua chuyện, hãy cố gắng hết sức. (Don't do it just for form's sake, try your best.)
  • Cô ấy đọc bài báo cáo một cách qua chuyện. (She read the report in a perfunctory manner.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm cho qua chuyện": This is the most common fixed phrase. It functions as a verb phrase meaning "to do something perfunctorily" or "to go through the motions."
  • Anh ta không quan tâm, anh ta chỉ làm cho qua chuyện thôi. (He doesn't care; he's just going through the motions.)
• The phrase often carries a slightly negative connotation, criticizing a lack of sincerity or diligence.

Variants and Related Words

• Lấy lệ (v/adv): To do something merely as a token gesture or formality. It is a close synonym.
  • Ăn lấy lệ cho biết. (Eat just a little bit to say you did.)
• Chiếu lệ (adj/adv): Perfunctory, pro forma. Often used in formal contexts.
  • Một cái gật đầu chiếu lệ. (A perfunctory nod.)
• Qua loa (adv): Superficially, cursorily. Similar in meaning but can sometimes imply carelessness rather than just formality.
  • Kiểm tra qua loa. (To check superficially.)

Synonyms

• Một cách chiếu lệ: In a perfunctory/pro forma manner.
• Một cách đối phó: In a coping/going-through-the-motions manner.
• Cho có lệ: Just for the sake of having done it.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Làm cho xong chuyện": To do something just to finish it/get it over with. This phrase emphasizes completion over quality more strongly than "làm cho qua chuyện," which emphasizes the lack of genuine effort.
  • Tôi viết bài luận này chỉ để làm cho xong chuyện. (I wrote this essay just to get it over with.)
• "Làm lấy lệ": Synonymous with "làm cho qua chuyện," meaning to do something as a mere token.
  • Tặng quà lấy lệ. (To give a gift just as a token gesture.)

1. For form's sake, perfunctorily
   • Làm cho qua chuyện
     To do something for form's sake