Definition

1. Verb:
   • To become discouraged / to lose heart: The primary meaning of "tỏa chí" is to have one's will or spirit diminish, leading to a state of discouragement or disheartenment.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Gặp nhiều thất bại, anh ấy dần tỏa chí. (Facing many failures, he gradually became discouraged.)
  • Đừng tỏa chí vì khó khăn ban đầu. (Don't lose heart because of initial difficulties.)

Advanced Usage

• "tỏa chí nản lòng": This is a reinforcing phrase combining "tỏa chí" with "nản lòng" (to be disheartened), emphasizing a strong sense of lost motivation.
  • Sau dự án thất bại, cả nhóm tỏa chí nản lòng. (After the failed project, the whole team became utterly discouraged.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nản chí (v): to be discouraged, to lose heart. This is a more common synonym with identical meaning.
  • Cô ấy không hề nản chí trước lời chỉ trích. (She did not lose heart in the face of criticism.)

Synonyms

• To be discouraged: To lose confidence or enthusiasm.
• To lose heart: To become disheartened or demoralized.
• To become dispirited: To have one's spirit lowered.

Notes on Usage

• Frequency: "Tỏa chí" is a less common, more literary term in modern Vietnamese. The synonym "nản chí" is used far more frequently in everyday speech and writing.
• Connotation: The word carries a connotation of a gradual fading or dissipation of one's determination or willpower.