Definition

1. Verb:

   • To wonder / to question: To have a point or issue that feels unclear and requires an explanation or answer. This involves active mental inquiry or doubt.
   • To worry / to be troubled: To feel anxious or preoccupied about something that is unclear or unresolved.
   • To have a misunderstanding: To be at cross purposes or to have a minor disagreement stemming from a lack of clear communication.

2. Noun:

   • A question / a query: A specific point of doubt or something that needs clarification.
   • A worry / a concern: A feeling of anxiety about an unresolved issue.
   • A misunderstanding: A minor conflict or disagreement arising from confusion.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Tôi thắc mắc về hướng dẫn mới này. (I wonder about this new guideline.)
  • Cô ấy thắc mắc mãi về kết quả cuộc phỏng vấn. (She kept worrying about the interview result.)
  • Hai bên thắc mắc với nhau về điều khoản hợp đồng. (The two parties had a misunderstanding about the contract terms.)

• Noun:

  • Xin hãy nêu mọi thắc mắc của bạn. (Please state all your questions.)
  • Anh ấy có nhiều thắc mắc về tương lai. (He has many concerns about the future.)
  • Mọi thắc mắc giữa họ đã được giải quyết. (All misunderstandings between them have been resolved.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thắc mắc chính đáng": A legitimate/justified question or concern.

  • Đó là một thắc mắc chính đáng cần được trả lời. (That is a legitimate question that needs an answer.)

• "Giải tỏa thắc mắc": To resolve doubts or to clear up misunderstandings.

  • Buổi họp nhằm mục đích giải tỏa mọi thắc mắc. (The meeting aims to resolve all doubts.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thắc mắc can function as both a verb and a noun without changing form, as shown in the definitions.

Synonyms

• Verb: To question, to doubt, to ponder, to worry.
• Noun: A query, a doubt, a concern, a misunderstanding.

Related Idioms

• "Đặt dấu hỏi/Đặt câu hỏi": While not an idiom with itself, this phrase (to put a question mark/to ask a question) is a direct action related to expressing a .
  • Mọi người đều đặt dấu hỏi về tính khả thi của kế hoạch. (Everyone questions the feasibility of the plan.)

verb

1. to wonder to worry to be at cross purposes