Definition

1. Adverbial phrase (Cụm trạng từ):
   • How can one have the heart to...?: Expresses a strong sense of reluctance, pity, or moral hesitation about doing something, implying the action would be cruel, unkind, or wrong.
   • How could you/they/I...?: A rhetorical question expressing shock, disappointment, or reproach that someone (including oneself) would consider or carry out such an action.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Nó còn nhỏ và ngây thơ thế, sao nỡ mắng nó? (He is so young and innocent, how could you have the heart to scold him?)
  • Cô ấy đã giúp đỡ tôi rất nhiều, tôi sao nỡ quên ơn? (She helped me so much, how could I possibly forget her kindness?)
  • Nhìn cảnh tượng đau lòng đó, sao nỡ làm ngơ? (Looking at that heartbreaking scene, how can one turn a blind eye?)

Advanced Usage

• "Sao nỡ lòng...": A slightly more literary variant with the same meaning, emphasizing the feeling in one's heart ().
  • Sao nỡ lòng nhìn em khóc? (How could I bear to see you cry?)

Variants and Related Words

• Sao đành (phr): A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage. It is often interchangeable with .
  • Sao đành bỏ mặc nó một mình? (How could you abandon it alone?)

Synonyms

• Làm sao có thể... (phr): How can one possibly... (A more neutral phrase for expressing inability or strong reluctance).
• Không nỡ (adj/phr): Cannot bear to; to be unwilling (to do something) due to pity or affection. (This is the declarative form, while is the interrogative form).
  • Tôi không nỡ từ chối. (I cannot bear to refuse.)

Related Idioms

• Không đành lòng (idiom): To be unable to bring oneself to do something (out of compassion, love, or pity). This is the affirmative statement corresponding to the question .
  • Tôi không đành lòng rời đi. (I couldn't bring myself to leave.)

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