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không tạ ơn
/xoŋ˧˦ taː˧˨ʔ əːn˧/
ungrateful
Anh ấy không bao giờ nói lời cảm ơn dù nhận được sự giúp đỡ.
He never says thank you even when receiving help.
informal
Not expressing gratitude; failing to show appreciation for kindness or help received.
Cô ấy nhận quà nhưng không tạ ơn.
She received a gift but didn't thank the giver.
Đừng như vậy, hãy tạ ơn khi người khác giúp đỡ bạn.
Don't be like that; thank others when they help you.
Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe someone who lacks basic manners in expressing gratitude.
Collocations
thái độ không tạ ơnungrateful attitudengười không tạ ơnungrateful person
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
In Vietnamese culture, expressing gratitude is highly valued. Using 'không tạ ơn' to describe someone implies they are violating social norms of politeness and reciprocity.
Gold Rule
Usage
Use 'không tạ ơn' to describe a person's character or habitual behavior, not a single instance. For one-time occurrences, use 'không cảm ơn' (not thanking).
Word Origin
Composed of 'không' (not), 'tạ' (to thank), and 'ơn' (favor/gratitude). The phrase literally means 'not thanking favors' but functions as a compound adjective describing a lack of gratitude.
Usage Notes
This phrase is used to describe people who fail to acknowledge kindness. It is stronger than simply 'not saying thank you' and implies a moral failing. Avoid using in formal contexts where politeness is expected.
Word Breakdown
không
not
adverbtạ
to thank
verbơn
favor/gratitude
nounTừ Điển Việt Anh