Definition

1. Noun:
   • A period of bad luck or misfortune: Refers to a specific, often predetermined, span of time characterized by adversity, hardship, or unlucky events in a person's life. This concept is often associated with cyclical beliefs in fate or destiny.
   • A stroke of bad luck / an unlucky chance: Can also denote a single, unfortunate incident or piece of bad fortune that occurs within a larger difficult period.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy đang trong vận hạn, nên gặp nhiều chuyện không may. (He is in a period of bad luck, so he's encountering many unfortunate things.)
  • Vượt qua vận hạn này, mọi chuyện sẽ tốt đẹp hơn. (Once you get through this streak of misfortune, everything will be better.)
  • Đó chỉ là một vận hạn nhỏ thôi, đừng lo lắng. (That's just a minor stroke of bad luck; don't worry.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is frequently used in contexts related to spiritual beliefs, fortune-telling, or astrology, where life is seen as having cycles of favorable and unfavorable periods.
• It implies a temporary state, suggesting that the misfortune is bound to a specific timeframe and will eventually pass.

Variants and Related Words

• Hạn (n): A limit, deadline, or period; often used in compound words related to fate or time-bound misfortune.
• Vận (n): Luck, fortune, or destiny. When combined with "hạn," it specifically denotes a period of ill fortune.

Synonyms

• Streak of bad luck: A series of unfortunate events.
• Adversity: Difficulties or misfortune.
• Hard times: A period of difficulty or distress.

Related Idioms and Concepts

• Gặp hạn / Vào hạn: To encounter a period of bad luck or to be under a negative astrological influence.
  • Năm nay anh ta gặp hạn, làm ăn thất bát. (This year he encountered a period of bad luck, his business failed.)
• Hết hạn: For the period of bad luck to be over; to be out of the woods.
  • Cố gắng lên, sắp hết hạn rồi. (Hang in there, the bad luck is almost over.)