đốn kiếp

Definition

1. Interjection (Exclamation):

   • A curse expressing extreme frustration, anger, or annoyance: A strong, vulgar exclamation used to damn or condemn a situation, event, or person. It conveys a sense of "damn it," "what a wretched life," or "to hell with this."
   • An expression of misfortune or bad luck: Used to lament a stroke of bad luck or a cursed fate.

2. Noun (in exclamatory phrases):

   • A wretched or damned fate/life: Refers to a miserable, pitiful, or accursed existence.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:

  • Đốn kiếp! Lại hỏng xe rồi. (Damn it! The car broke down again.)
  • Đốn kiếp! Tôi quên ví ở nhà. (What wretched luck! I forgot my wallet at home.)

• Noun (in exclamation):

  • Cái đốn kiếp này! Chẳng bao giờ có chuyện gì suôn sẻ cả. (This damned fate! Nothing ever goes smoothly.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is considered very strong and impolite. It is used in informal, frustrated speech and should be avoided in formal contexts.
• It can be used alone as a standalone exclamation () or within a phrase to describe a situation ( - a wretched life).

Variants and Related Words

• Đốn mạng (interj): A similarly strong, vulgar curse meaning "damn it" or "go to hell."
• Khốn kiếp (interj): A more common synonym with identical meaning and usage intensity. Often translated as "damn it" or "bloody hell."
  • Khốn kiếp! Tôi đã bỏ lỡ chuyến tàu. (Damn it! I missed the train.)

Synonyms

• Damn it / Damnation: An exclamation of anger.
• Bloody hell: A strong British exclamation of annoyance.
• Cursed fate: A noun phrase describing wretched luck.

Related Idioms

• Đời đốn kiếp: Refers to a miserable, cursed life.
  • Sống cái đời đốn kiếp này chán quá. (Living this cursed life is so tiresome.)