thắng cuộc
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To win the contest/game/bet: The primary meaning of "thắng cuộc" is to be the victor in a competition, game, match, or wager. It emphasizes achieving victory in the specific event or round that was contested.
- To come out on top: It can describe succeeding or prevailing in a broader competitive situation or challenge.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Đội chủ nhà đã thắng cuộc với tỉ số 2-0. (The home team won the match with a score of 2-0.)
- Cô ấy thắng cuộc trong cuộc thi hùng biện. (She won the speech contest.)
- Ai đoán đúng sẽ thắng cuộc. (Whoever guesses correctly will win the bet.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in contexts where there is a clear, defined competition with a winner and loser(s). It is less commonly used for abstract or non-competitive successes.
- "thắng cuộc đua": to win the race.
- Tay đua mới đã thắng cuộc đua một cách thuyết phục. (The new racer won the race convincingly.)
Variants and Related Words
Chiến thắng (v/n): to achieve victory; a victory. This is a more general term for winning or a win.
- Họ đã chiến thắng kẻ thù. (They defeated the enemy.)
Thắng lợi (v/n): to triumph; a triumph. Often used for significant, strategic, or moral victories.
- Cuộc đấu tranh giành thắng lợi. (The struggle ended in triumph.)
Synonyms
- Win: to be successful in a competition.
- Prevail: to prove more powerful or superior.
- Come first: to finish in first place.
Related Idioms
- Thắng làm vua, thua làm giặc: This idiom means "The winner becomes the king, the loser becomes the outlaw," illustrating how success and failure are perceived.
- Trong kinh doanh, đôi khi người ta áp dụng tư tưởng "thắng làm vua, thua làm giặc". (In business, people sometimes apply the "winner-takes-all" mentality.)