Definition

Verb phrase: - To grant a favor, to bestow a kindness: The act of giving help, support, or a special advantage to someone, often from a position of perceived superiority or power. It implies the giver has the ability to confer a benefit that the receiver needs or desires. - To do a special favor: To perform a significant act of kindness or provide substantial assistance.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Ông chủ không nên ra ơn với nhân viên, mà nên đối xử công bằng. (The boss should not grant favors to employees but should treat them fairly.)
  • Cô ấy luôn sẵn sàng ra ơn giúp đỡ những người hàng xóm gặp khó khăn. (She is always ready to bestow kindness and help neighbors in difficulty.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a nuanced connotation. It can be used neutrally to describe a genuine, significant act of grace. However, it can also imply a patronizing attitude, where the favor is given in a way that highlights the giver's superior position and may create a sense of obligation or debt in the receiver.
  • Anh ta giúp tôi nhưng với thái độ ra ơn khiến tôi khó chịu. (He helped me, but with a patronizing "granting-a-favor" attitude that made me uncomfortable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Làm ơn (Verb phrase): To do a favor. This is a more common and general phrase for helping someone, usually without the strong connotation of hierarchical difference inherent in "ra ơn".
  • Bạn có thể làm ơn chỉ đường cho tôi không? (Could you do me the favor of giving me directions?)
• Ban ơn (Verb phrase): To bestow grace/favor (often used in religious or formal contexts regarding a supreme being or monarch).
  • Thượng đế ban ơn cho chúng sinh. (God bestows grace upon all living beings.)

Synonyms

• Giúp đỡ (Verb): To help, to assist. (A more neutral and common term.)
• Hỗ trợ (Verb): To support, to aid. (Often used in formal or professional contexts.)
• Bố thí (Verb): To give alms, to bestow charity. (Can have a negative, condescending connotation similar to "ra ơn".)

Related Idioms

• Ra ơn ra oai: To alternately grant favors and show authority; to act in a capricious manner, mixing kindness with intimidation to control others.
  • Người quản lý đó thích ra ơn ra oai với cấp dưới. (That manager likes to mix favors with intimidation toward his subordinates.)

1. Grant favours