Definition

1. Phrase:
   • To be out of debt / to have settled a debt: The primary meaning of "xong nợ" is to have completed the repayment of a financial or material obligation, leaving no outstanding balance.
   • To be even / to be quits: Figuratively, it means to have settled a score or fulfilled a moral, social, or emotional obligation, resulting in no further mutual dues or grievances.

Usage Examples

• Phrase:
  • Sau mười năm, cuối cùng tôi cũng xong nợ ngân hàng. (After ten years, I am finally out of debt to the bank.)
  • Tôi đã giúp anh ta việc đó, giờ chúng tôi xong nợ với nhau. (I helped him with that matter, now we are even with each other.)
  • Thật may mà xong nợ vụ kiện đó. (It's fortunate to be done with that lawsuit.)

Advanced Usage

• "xong nợ với ai": to be quits with someone, to have settled all accounts with a specific person.

  • Sau khi trả tiền, tôi đã xong nợ với anh ta. (After paying the money, I was quits with him.)

• "xong nợ đời": a more philosophical or fatalistic expression suggesting one's life debts or karmic obligations are settled, often used in literature.

  • Cứu được mạng người, hắn cảm thấy mình như xong nợ đời. (Having saved a life, he felt as if his debt to life was paid.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trả nợ (v): to repay a debt.

  • Anh ấy đang làm việc cật lực để trả nợ. (He is working hard to repay his debt.)

• Dứt nợ (phrase): to be completely finished with a debt or a burdensome tie; similar to "xong nợ" but can imply a stronger sense of final severance.

  • Bán mảnh đất đi cho dứt nợ. (Sell the plot of land to be completely done with the debt.)

Synonyms

• To be debt-free: having no debts.
• To be square: to have settled all mutual obligations, especially informal ones.
• To be clear: to have no outstanding obligations.

Related Idioms

• Xong nợ nần: a reinforced form emphasizing the completion of all debts.

  • Tính sổ lần này cho xong nợ nần. (Let's settle the account this time to be completely done with it.)

• Ăn xong nợ cũ: (literally: to eat and be done with old debts) an old saying implying that once a debt is settled, the relationship or issue should be concluded.

  • Hai bên nên ăn xong nợ cũ, không nhắc lại chuyện quá khứ. (Both sides should settle old debts and not bring up the past.)