tiếc sức
Definition
- Adjective (used as a predicate):
- To be sparing of one's effort; to be reluctant to exert oneself. It describes a mindset of being unwilling to use one's physical strength or energy, often due to laziness, a desire for comfort, or a calculated decision to conserve effort.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ta làm việc gì cũng tiếc sức, không bao giờ nhiệt tình. (He is sparing of his effort in everything he does, never enthusiastic.)
- Đừng tiếc sức luyện tập nếu muốn giành huy chương. (Don't be reluctant to exert yourself in training if you want to win a medal.)
- Cô ấy tiếc sức không muốn khiêng chiếc bàn nặng. (She was averse to using her strength and didn't want to carry the heavy table.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies criticism or disapproval of someone's lack of diligence or full commitment to a physical task. It can be used in imperative or negative constructions to urge someone to try harder.
Variants and Related Words
- Tiếc công (v): to be reluctant to expend labor or effort on something, often because the perceived result is not worth the work.
- Anh ấy tiếc công sửa cái xe cũ ấy. (He couldn't be bothered to put in the effort to fix that old car.)
Synonyms
- To be lazy / indolent: disinclined to activity or exertion.
- To be unenthusiastic: lacking in excitement or eagerness.
- To hold back (one's effort): to not use one's full capacity.
Related Idioms
- Làm biếng / Lười biếng: to be lazy. This is a more direct and common synonym for general laziness.
- Thằng bé lười biếng, không chịu học. (The boy is lazy and refuses to study.)