vốn dĩ
Definition
- Adverb:
- By nature / inherently: Used to describe an intrinsic, innate, or fundamental quality of a person or thing. It emphasizes that a characteristic has existed from the beginning or is part of the essential nature.
- Originally / from the start: Indicates that a certain state or fact was true in the beginning or has been true all along.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Cô ấy vốn dĩ là người rất kiên nhẫn. (She is inherently a very patient person.)
- Căn phòng này vốn dĩ rất sáng sủa. (This room was originally very bright.)
- Anh ấy vốn dĩ không muốn tham gia. (He never wanted to participate from the start.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to contrast an inherent state with a later change or a common misconception.
- Nó vốn dĩ hiền lành, đừng hiểu lầm nó. (He is gentle by nature, don't misunderstand him.)
Variants and Related Words
Vốn (adv): Originally, inherently. Often used interchangeably with "vốn dĩ" but can be slightly less emphatic.
- Anh ấy vốn là bác sĩ. (He was originally a doctor.)
Bản chất (n): Nature, essence. This is a noun referring to the intrinsic quality itself.
- Bản chất của cô ấy rất tốt. (Her nature is very good.)
Synonyms
- Inherently: As a natural or permanent quality.
- By nature: According to one's innate character.
- Originally: At first; in the beginning.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Vốn dĩ đã như vậy: It has always been like that.
- Sự thật thì vốn dĩ đã như vậy. (The truth has always been that way.)