tạ sự
Definition
- Verb (archaic):
- To use as a pretext; to make an excuse: The word "tạ sự" describes the act of borrowing or inventing a reason, often a false or insincere one, to justify an action that is not proper or legitimate.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hắn tạ sự ốm đau để trốn việc. (He used illness as a pretext to avoid work.)
- Kẻ ấy thường tạ sự để làm điều xấu. (That person often makes excuses to do bad things.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is marked as archaic or literary ("cũ") in modern Vietnamese. It is rarely used in contemporary everyday speech but may be found in historical texts, classical literature, or used deliberately for a formal, old-fashioned tone.
Word Origin and Notes
- The term is a compound of "tạ" (to borrow, to thank) and "sự" (matter, affair). The core meaning revolves around "borrowing a matter" to serve as a reason or excuse.
Synonyms
- Lấy cớ: to use as an excuse.
- Viện cớ: to allege a pretext.
- Nại cớ: to plead an excuse (also somewhat literary).
Related Idioms
- Tạ sự thị phi: To use trivial matters or gossip as a pretext (to interfere or cause trouble).
- Đừng tạ sự thị phi vào chuyện của người khác. (Don't use petty gossip as a pretext to meddle in others' affairs.)