rủ lòng
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To deign; to condescend: To lower oneself to do something considered beneath one's dignity or status, often with a sense of graciousness or reluctant mercy.
- To be moved (to show compassion/mercy): To allow one's heart to be softened, leading to an act of kindness, pity, or forgiveness that one might not ordinarily show.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Xin ngài rủ lòng thương xót. (Please deign to have mercy.)
- Cuối cùng, ông chủ cũng rủ lòng cho tôi vay tiền. (Finally, the boss condescended to lend me money.)
- Cô ấy rủ lòng tha thứ cho lỗi lầm của anh. (She was moved to forgive his mistake.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a significant power or status differential, where the subject (the one who "rủ lòng") holds a superior position—whether in authority, morality, or circumstance—over the object of the action.
- It is frequently used in appeals, prayers, or formal requests for help or clemency, emphasizing that the hoped-for action is a special favor, not an obligation.
Variants and Related Words
- Rủ (v): to invite, to persuade (someone to join an activity). This is the base verb, but in "rủ lòng," the meaning shifts significantly.
- Anh ấy rủ tôi đi xem phim. (He invited me to go see a movie.)
- Thương hại (v): to pity. This can be a result of "rủ lòng."
- Tôi thương hại hoàn cảnh của cô ấy. (I pity her situation.)
Synonyms
- Deign: to do something that one considers beneath one's dignity.
- Condescend: to show that one feels superior by graciously lowering oneself.
- Relent: to abandon a harsh intention and become more merciful.
- Have compassion: to show sympathy and concern for others' suffering.
Related Idioms
- Rủ lòng thương: to deign to love/have compassion; a very common collocation.
- Mong trời rủ lòng thương. (May heaven deign to show compassion.)
- Rủ lòng từ bi: to be moved to show Buddhist compassion or mercy.
- Vị sư đã rủ lòng từ bi giúp đỡ người nghèo. (The monk was moved by compassion to help the poor.)