Definition

1. Noun:

   • Discord / Disharmony: A state of disagreement, lack of harmony, or conflict, especially within a relationship or group (e.g., family, friends).
   • Estrangement: A condition where friendly relations are broken, leading to a state of alienation.

2. Verb (to be/become discordant):

   • To fall out / To be at odds: To enter into a state of conflict or disagreement with someone.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Gia đình họ lâm vào cảnh thất hòa. (Their family fell into a state of discord.)
  • Sự thất hòa giữa hai nước kéo dài nhiều năm. (The disharmony between the two countries lasted for many years.)

• Verb:

  • Họ đã thất hòa vì một hiểu lầm nhỏ. (They fell out over a small misunderstanding.)
  • Anh ta thất hòa với tất cả đồng nghiệp. (He is at odds with all his colleagues.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "thất hòa" often implies a breakdown of a previously harmonious relationship. It is stronger than a simple disagreement ("bất đồng") and suggests an ongoing, serious conflict.

Variants and Related Words

• Bất hòa (n): Discord, disagreement. Often used interchangeably with "thất hòa," though "thất hòa" can imply a more complete loss of harmony.

  • Mối bất hòa trong nội bộ. (Internal discord.)

• Ly tán (v): To disperse, to break up (often of a family). This can be a potential consequence of severe "thất hòa."

  • Gia đình ly tán. (The family broke up.)

Synonyms

• Discord: A lack of agreement or harmony.
• Disharmony: A state of conflict or lack of accord.
• Estrangement: The state of being alienated or separated in feeling.

Related Idioms

• Cơm chẳng lành, canh chẳng ngọt: (Lit: The rice isn't nice, the soup isn't sweet.) An idiom describing a household full of discord and unhappiness.
  • Nhà ấy giờ cơm chẳng lành, canh chẳng ngọt vì vợ chồng thất hòa. (That house is now full of unhappiness because the husband and wife are in discord.)