tơ màng
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To care about, to be concerned with, to pay heed to: This phrase, most commonly used in the negative form "không tơ màng," expresses a complete lack of interest, concern, or attachment towards something, often implying a noble or detached indifference.
Usage Notes
- The phrase "tơ màng" is almost exclusively used in the negative construction "không tơ màng (đến)" (to not care about, to be utterly indifferent to). Its positive form is extremely rare in modern usage.
- It typically describes an attitude of disregard towards worldly or material things, such as fame, wealth, or personal gain.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Ông ấy sống một cuộc đời thanh bần, không tơ màng đến lợi danh. (He lives a life of simple poverty, utterly indifferent to wealth and fame.)
- Vị nghệ sĩ ấy không tơ màng đến chuyện được mất. (That artist pays no heed to personal gain or loss.)
- Cô ấy không tơ màng gì đến những lời đàm tiếu. (She doesn't care at all about the gossip.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a literary or formal tone and is used to describe a virtuous or philosophical detachment.
Synonyms
- To be indifferent to: showing no interest or concern.
- To disregard: to pay no attention to; to ignore.
- To not care about: the most direct and common equivalent.
Related Idioms
- Không tơ màng lợi danh: To be indifferent to wealth and fame; to not care about riches and honors.
- Một bậc hiền triết không tơ màng lợi danh. (A sage who is indifferent to wealth and fame.)