trả giá
Definition
Verb:
- To pay the price: To suffer negative consequences as a result of one's actions, decisions, or circumstances. It implies a cost, often metaphorical, that is incurred.
- To pay (a monetary amount): To give an amount of money in exchange for goods or services; to settle a price.
Verb (figurative):
- To atone for / to make amends for: To compensate for a wrong or a mistake, often involving sacrifice or loss.
Usage Examples
- Verb (figurative):
- Anh ta đã trả giá cho sự thiếu chuẩn bị của mình. (He paid the price for his lack of preparation.)
- Chiến thắng đó khiến họ phải trả giá bằng nhiều sinh mạng. (That victory made them pay a price with many lives.)
- Verb (literal/commercial):
- Bạn đã trả giá bao nhiêu cho chiếc xe này? (How much did you pay for this car?)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a strong connotation of a harsh, deserved, or inevitable consequence. It is frequently used in contexts of failure, crime, war, or reckless behavior.
- "trả giá đắt": to pay a heavy/high price.
- Hắn phải trả giá đắt cho tội ác của mình. (He had to pay a heavy price for his crime.)
Variants and Related Words
- Trả tiền (v): to pay money (a more general and neutral term for monetary payment).
- Tôi cần trả tiền hóa đơn. (I need to pay the bill.)
- Đền bù (v): to compensate, to make up for (focuses on restitution).
- Công ty phải đền bù thiệt hại. (The company must compensate for the damages.)
Synonyms
- Pay the penalty: To suffer a punishment.
- Face the consequences: To experience the results of one's actions.
- Suffer for: To endure something negative because of something else.
- Atone for: To make reparation or amends.
Related Idioms
- Trả giá bằng máu: to pay with blood; to indicate an extremely high cost in lives.
- Tự do mà họ giành được phải trả giá bằng máu. (The freedom they won was paid for with blood.)
- Được giá / trả giá: This can be part of a negotiation context meaning "to get a good price / to pay a price."