Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Unintentionally / by mistake / inadvertently: Indicates that an action was done accidentally, without prior intention or forethought.
   • Already done / having already happened: Refers to an action that has been completed, often with a sense that it cannot be undone, leading to a consequence that must be accepted.

2. Adverb (literary):

   • Completely / wholly / throughout: Denotes doing something fully or for an entire duration.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Unintentionally):

  • Tôi trót làm vỡ chiếc cốc. (I accidentally broke the cup.)
  • Nó trót nói ra bí mật. (He inadvertently revealed the secret.)

• Adverb (Already done):

  • Vì đã trót hứa, nên tôi phải giữ lời. (Since I have already promised, I must keep my word.)
  • Trót mua rồi thì phải dùng thôi. (Now that we've already bought it, we have to use it.)

• Adverb (Completely):

  • Câu chuyện trót đời tôi chưa kể cho ai nghe. (The story of my whole life, I have not told anyone.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đã trót thì phải trét": This is a common Vietnamese proverb, equivalent to "In for a penny, in for a pound" or "The wine is poured, it must be drunk." It expresses the idea that once you have started something (especially a mistake or a difficult task), you must see it through to the end.
  • Thôi, đã trót nhận lời thì cố gắng làm cho xong. Đã trót thì phải trét mà. (Well, since I've already agreed, I'll try to finish it. In for a penny, in for a pound.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lỡ (Adverb): by mistake, unintentionally. Often used interchangeably with trót in the sense of an accidental action.

  • Tôi lỡ quên không gọi điện cho anh. (I accidentally forgot to call you.)

• Trọn (Adverb/Adjective): complete, whole, entire. Related to the "completely" meaning of trót.

  • Anh ấy cống hiến trọn đời cho khoa học. (He devoted his entire life to science.)

Synonyms

• Unintentionally: not done on purpose.
• Inadvertently: without intention; accidentally.
• Already: prior to a specified or implied time.

Related Idioms

• Thương cho trót, vót cho tròn: A proverb meaning "If you love someone/something completely, you must care for them perfectly" or "If you start something, finish it properly." It emphasizes thoroughness and commitment.
  • Mình nhận việc này rồi, phải cố gắng thương cho trót, vót cho tròn. (We've taken on this job, we must try to see it through properly.)