thất hứa
Definition
- Verb:
- To break a promise: To fail to do what one has promised to do; to not keep one's word.
- To go back on one's word: To fail to act according to a promise or commitment one has made.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ấy đã thất hứa với tôi. (He broke his promise to me.)
- Đừng bao giờ thất hứa với trẻ con. (Never go back on your word with children.)
- Công ty thất hứa về việc tăng lương. (The company broke its promise about the raise.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "thất hứa" carries a strong negative moral judgment and implies a loss of trust. It is more formal and literary than some common spoken equivalents.
- It can be used in both personal and formal contexts (e.g., in business, politics) to describe a serious failure of commitment.
Variants and Related Words
- Thất tín (v): To be untrustworthy; to break faith. This is a closely related, slightly more formal synonym that emphasizes a loss of credibility.
- Thất tín là một tính xấu. (Being untrustworthy is a bad trait.)
Synonyms
- Break a promise: The most direct equivalent.
- Go back on one's word: To fail to honor a spoken commitment.
- Fail to keep a promise: A more descriptive synonym.
Antonyms
- Giữ lời hứa (v): To keep a promise.
- Thực hiện lời hứa (v): To fulfill a promise.
Related Idioms
- "Thất hứa thà đừng hứa": This proverb means "If you're going to break a promise, it's better not to promise at all," emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word.
- Nhớ câu 'thất hứa thà đừng hứa'. (Remember the saying 'if you're going to break a promise, better not to make one'.)