Definition

1. Verb:
   • To rely on / To depend on: The primary meaning of "trông nhờ" is to place one's trust, hope, or expectation for help or support on someone or something else. It implies a state of needing assistance and counting on another party to provide it.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi trông nhờ vào sự giúp đỡ của anh. (I am relying on your help.)
  • Cô ấy trông nhờ hàng xóm trông nom nhà cửa. (She is depending on the neighbors to look after the house.)
  • Chúng tôi trông nhờ vào thu nhập từ công việc này. (We depend on the income from this job.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a nuance of vulnerability or a lack of self-sufficiency. It is used in contexts where the subject is in a position of needing support, whether emotional, financial, or practical.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhờ cậy (v): to rely on, to entrust. This is a close synonym, often used interchangeably with "trông nhờ."

  • Họ nhờ cậy người thân trong lúc khó khăn. (They relied on relatives in difficult times.)

• Trông cậy (v): to count on, to look to for support. Very similar in meaning and usage to "trông nhờ."

  • Đừng trông cậy vào những lời hứa suông. (Don't count on empty promises.)

Synonyms

• Depend on: to be influenced or determined by.
• Rely on: to have confidence in and be dependent on.
• Count on: to rely on, to expect with confidence.

Related Idioms

• Trông nhờ vả: This extended form emphasizes the aspect of seeking and asking for help, reinforcing the idea of dependence.
  • Gia đình ấy phải trông nhờ vả cả họ hàng. (That family has to rely on and seek help from all their relatives.)