Definition

Verb: - To lose a battle; to be defeated in a battle or war: Refers specifically to the failure of an army or military force in a specific combat engagement or campaign.

Usage

The word thất trận is a verb used to describe the state of being defeated in a military conflict. It is considered a formal and somewhat literary term, often found in historical, military, or formal narrative contexts. It emphasizes the result of a specific battle or series of battles.

Examples

• Quân đội ấy đã thất trận và phải rút lui. (That army was defeated and had to retreat.)
• Dù đã chiến đấu dũng cảm, họ cuối cùng vẫn thất trận. (Despite fighting bravely, they ultimately lost the battle.)
• Lịch sử ghi lại nhiều vị tướng tài ba chưa từng thất trận. (History records many brilliant generals who never suffered a defeat.)

Advanced Usage

• Thất trận can be used metaphorically in highly formal or literary contexts to describe a significant failure in a non-military competition or struggle, though this is less common.
  • Đội bóng ấy đã thất trận trong trận chung kết. (That football team was defeated/suffered a loss in the final match.) (Note: This usage is stylized; "thua" is more common for sports.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thua trận (verb): A more common and contemporary synonym for thất trận, meaning "to lose a battle."
• Thất bại (verb/noun): A broader term meaning "to fail" or "failure," applicable to any endeavor, not just military.
• Đại bại (verb/noun): "To be utterly defeated," "a great defeat"; implies a more severe or complete loss.
• Thua cuộc (verb): "To lose the contest/game"; used for competitions and games.

Synonyms

• Bị đánh bại: To be defeated.
• Thua: To lose (general term for games, competitions, arguments).

Antonyms

• Thắng trận (verb): To win a battle.
• Chiến thắng (verb/noun): To achieve victory; a victory.

verb

1. to lose a battle, defeated