Definition

1. Verb:
   • To stumble upon; to encounter obstacles or hindrances: Refers to physically bumping into things or, more commonly, metaphorically facing difficulties, setbacks, or snags, often due to inexperience or unforeseen circumstances.
   • To experience hiccups or hitches: Describes the act of running into minor problems or complications that impede smooth progress.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Khi mới khởi nghiệp, anh ấy đã va vấp rất nhiều. (When starting his business, he encountered many obstacles.)
  • Đứa trẻ tập đi dễ va vấp vào đồ đạc. (A toddler learning to walk easily stumbles into furniture.)
  • Dự án va vấp phải một số vấn đề pháp lý. (The project stumbled upon some legal issues.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a figurative sense to describe the inevitable difficulties one faces when learning something new or embarking on a challenging endeavor. It implies a process of learning through trial and error.

Variants and Related Words

• Va chạm (v): to collide, to have a clash (often physical or metaphorical conflict).
  • Xe của họ bị va chạm nhẹ. (Their cars had a minor collision.)
• Vấp phải (v): to trip over, to run into (a problem or object).
  • Cô ấy vấp phải một hòn đá. (She tripped over a stone.)

Synonyms

• Encounter difficulties: To come across problems.
• Stumble: To trip or lose one's footing; to encounter setbacks.
• Face hitches: To experience minor obstacles or delays.

Related Idioms

• Va vấp để trưởng thành: To stumble and face hardships in order to mature.
  • Cuộc sống cần có những lần va vấp để trưởng thành. (Life requires stumbles and hardships to mature.)