trông vào
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To rely on / to depend on: To place one's trust, hope, or expectation in someone or something for support, help, or a desired outcome. It implies a sense of counting on that person or thing as a primary source or solution.
- To look to / to pin hopes on: To direct one's expectations towards a specific source for assistance or deliverance, often in a situation of need.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Lúc khó khăn, chúng tôi chỉ biết trông vào sự giúp đỡ của hàng xóm. (In difficult times, we could only rely on the help of our neighbors.)
- Tương lai của dự án này trông vào nguồn vốn mới. (The future of this project depends on the new funding.)
- Đừng trông vào những lời hứa suông. (Don't pin your hopes on empty promises.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a connotation of necessity or having no other alternative. It is frequently used in contexts where one's situation or success is contingent upon external support.
- Cả gia đình trông vào đồng lương ít ỏi của anh ấy. (The whole family depends on his meager salary.)
Variants and Related Words
Trông cậy (v): to rely on, to count on. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
- Anh ấy là người tôi có thể trông cậy. (He is someone I can count on.)
Trông chờ (v): to wait for, to hope for. This emphasizes the aspect of anticipation and waiting.
- Mọi người đang trông chờ kết quả. (Everyone is waiting for the results.)
Synonyms
- Rely on: To be dependent on for support or help.
- Depend on: To be determined or influenced by.
- Count on: To trust someone or something to provide help or support.
- Look to: To turn to for help or advice.
Related Idioms
Trông vào một cánh tay: To rely on a single source of support. This idiom highlights vulnerability by depending on only one option.
- Công ty đang trông vào một cánh tay là hợp đồng duy nhất đó. (The company is relying on a single source: that one contract.)
Trông mặt mà bắt hình dong: Literally "to look at the face and guess the shape," meaning to judge based on appearances. While not using the exact phrase "trông vào," it shares the root "trông" (to look) and illustrates a related concept of forming expectations based on what is seen.