trót
Definition
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.
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.)