Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To miscalculate / to be poor at calculating: Describes a person who frequently makes errors in arithmetic, planning, or estimation. It implies a habitual lack of accuracy or skill in numerical or logical reckoning.
   • To be bad at planning / to lack foresight: Extends to a general inability to plan effectively or anticipate outcomes, often leading to poor decisions or inconvenient results.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy hơi vụng tính nên hay tính sai tiền thối lại. (She is somewhat poor at calculating, so she often gives the wrong change.)
  • Anh ấy vụng tính khi ước lượng thời gian, nên lúc nào cũng đến trễ. (He miscalculates when estimating time, so he is always late.)
  • Đừng có vụng tính mà mua ít thức ăn thế, khách đến không đủ. (Don't be so bad at planning by buying so little food; it won't be enough when guests come.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a mild, slightly critical tone, pointing to a recurring personal shortcoming rather than a single mistake. It is used more for everyday errors in judgment or simple math than for complex scientific or financial miscalculations.

Variants and Related Words

• Tính toán vụng về (phr): to calculate clumsily or ineptly.
  • Sự tính toán vụng về của anh ta dẫn đến thất bại. (His clumsy calculation led to failure.)

Synonyms

• Bad at math: Lacking skill in arithmetic.
• Poor planner: Ineffective at organizing or anticipating.
• Inept at calculating: Unskilled in making computations or estimates.

Related Idioms

• Toán hay tính dở: (Literally: good at math but poor at calculating) An ironic phrase highlighting a contradiction where someone understands theory but fails in practical application.
  • Nó là kỹ sư mà toán hay tính dở, ước lượng chi phí toàn sai. (He's an engineer but is ironically poor at calculating, always estimating costs wrongly.)