TOPIC 13: RELATIONSHIP (structures)

A friend to all is a friend to none

I don't think so. A friend to all is ___, because genuinely close relationships require time and emotional investment. I'd rather have a small circle of people I can trust than maintain dozens of superficial friendships. (ai cũng thân thì chẳng thân với ai cả)

Ask out

I haven't really been interested in asking someone out. I prefer relationships that develop naturally through shared interests and conversations, rather than forcing a romantic connection before I genuinely understand the other person's personality and values. (mời hẹn hò, hẹn hò với ai)

Go out

When couples ___, they might have dinner, watch a film or simply talk somewhere quiet. Personally, I think meaningful conversations matter more than expensive dates because they help people understand each other's mindset and build emotional compatibility. (một cặp đôi hẹn hò/đi chơi với nhau)

Eat out

I occasionally eat ___ with my friends, especially after finishing a stressful project or exam. It's an easy way to catch up without having to organise anything complicated, and the conversation usually feels more relaxed over a meal. (đi ăn hàng)

Hang out

I usually ___ out with my friends by getting something to eat, walking around or simply sitting somewhere and talking. I don't need an elaborate plan because the best conversations often happen when everyone is relaxed and has enough time to talk. (gặp bạn bè để giải trí và tán dóc)

Blow the whistle on sth

Yes, especially when someone's behaviour seriously harms another person. _______ on serious wrongdoing isn't betrayal. Sometimes speaking up is necessary to protect people who may not have the confidence or opportunity to defend themselves. (tố giác điều gì)

Break the ice

I usually ask about something we have in common to break the ice. A simple question about school, hobbies or a shared experience can make the conversation much less awkward and gradually create a more comfortable atmosphere. (làm cho người chưa gặp bao giờ cảm thấy thoải mái và bắt đầu nói chuyện)

Change one's mind

Being willing to change my mind doesn't mean I lack confidence. It means I can reconsider my opinions when someone gives me convincing evidence or a different perspective, which is important for both personal growth and healthy relationships. (thay đổi ý định)

Come as no surprise

Sometimes they are. If two people consistently avoid communication and ignore each other's boundaries, it would come as no surprise if the relationship eventually became unhealthy. Small problems can become serious when people repeatedly refuse to address them. (không có gì đáng ngạc nhiên)

Domestic violence

Preventing domestic violence requires both education and effective support systems. Young people should learn about healthy boundaries and respectful communication, while victims need safe ways to seek help. Social attitudes also have to make it clear that abuse is never acceptable. (bạo lực gia đình)

Fade away

Some friendships fade away simply because people's priorities change. Moving to different places, entering new environments or becoming busy with studies can gradually reduce contact. I don't necessarily see this as a failure, because some relationships naturally belong to particular stages of our lives. (phai nhạt dần)

Fall head over heels in love with sb = be completely in love with sb

People may fall head over heels in love with someone because of emotional compatibility, admiration and a strong sense of connection. However, I think lasting relationships need more than intense feelings. Mutual respect and the ability to communicate matter just as much. (thật lòng yêu ai)

Fall out with sb

I've fallen out with friends before, usually because of misunderstandings rather than serious disagreements. I think conflict itself isn't necessarily harmful. What matters is whether both people are mature enough to communicate honestly and decide whether the relationship is worth repairing. (cãi nhau với ai)

Follow in one's footsteps

I don't necessarily want to follow in someone's footsteps exactly. I respect people who have achieved something meaningful, but I'd rather learn from their experience and build my own path according to my strengths, interests and long-term goals. (tiếp bước ai)

Forbid sb from doing sth

Parents shouldn't forbid teenagers from having relationships, especially when it comes to major life choices. They can offer advice based on experience, but young people also need room to make decisions, learn from mistakes and gradually develop their own identity. (cấm ai làm gì)

Forgive sb for sth/doing sth

I think it is important to forgive someone for making a mistake, although forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting everything. People can forgive someone for making a mistake while still setting boundaries. In a healthy relationship, forgiveness should come with genuine accountability and a willingness to avoid repeating the same behaviour. (tha thứ cho ai về cái gì/việc đã làm)

Generation gap

The generation gap often comes from differences in values, technology and life experiences. Parents may have grown up with very different expectations, while young people face new social pressures. Regular communication can help both sides understand rather than simply judge each other. (khoảng cách thế hệ)

Harmonize with

People can harmonize with each other when they respect differences and communicate directly. Nobody will agree on everything, so healthy relationships aren't about avoiding disagreement. They're about finding ways to coexist without constantly trying to change the other person's personality. (thân thiện, thuận hòa với)

Have respect for = look up to

I have a lot of respect for people who remain kind and responsible even under pressure. I also look up to those who are willing to admit their mistakes. To me, character matters more than status or achievements when deciding whether someone deserves respect. (kính trọng)

Look down on

Some people look down on others because they judge people according to wealth, academic performance or social status. I think this attitude often comes from insecurity. A person's circumstances don't necessarily reflect their intelligence, values or potential. (coi thường)

Help sb out

Yes, my close friends often help me out, especially when I'm overwhelmed with schoolwork or projects. I also try to return the favour when they need support. I think this kind of mutual reliability is what makes a friendship genuinely meaningful. (giúp đỡ ai)

Hesitate to do sth

People may hesitate to express their feelings because they fear rejection or being misunderstood. Some also worry that honesty could damage an important relationship. Personally, I think respectful communication is usually better than keeping everything inside and allowing misunderstandings to grow. (chần chừ, do dự làm gì)

Impose sth on sb

Parents shouldn't impose their opinions on their children, especially when it comes to major life choices. They can offer advice based on experience, but young people also need room to make decisions, learn from mistakes and gradually develop their own identity. (áp đặt cái gì cho ai)

In no time

If we have similar interests, I can become comfortable with someone in no time. A shared sense of humour or an easy conversation can remove awkwardness surprisingly quickly, although genuine trust still takes much longer to develop. (nhanh chóng)

Lend a sympathetic ear to sb

I'd lend a sympathetic ear to a friend before giving advice. Sometimes people don't need an immediate solution. They simply want someone who listens without judging them, which can make them feel understood and less alone. (cảm thông với ai)

Let sb down = disappoint sb

People often feel hurt when someone repeatedly lets them down, especially after making promises. I don't expect friends to be perfect, but I do value consistency. If someone can't keep a commitment, being honest about it is better than creating false expectations. (làm cho ai đó thất vọng)

Make allowance for sth

We should make allowance for the fact that everyone has difficult days and different circumstances. However, understanding someone's situation shouldn't mean excusing repeated harmful behaviour, particularly when the person refuses to take responsibility. (chiếu cố/thông cảm rằng)

Make believe = pretend

Yes, I used to make believe I was different characters when I was younger. It was a simple form of imagination, and looking back, I think those games helped me explore different personalities and understand other people's perspectives. (giả vờ)

Make up with sb

After an argument, people sometimes need time to calm down before they make up with each other. I think a sincere conversation is more useful than pretending nothing happened, because understanding the original problem can prevent the same conflict from happening again. (làm hòa với ai)

Make use of

People can make use of social media to stay connected despite living far apart. However, online communication shouldn't completely replace face-to-face interaction. A quick message is convenient, but deeper relationships usually require meaningful conversations and shared experiences. (tận dụng)

Pop the question

I don't think there is one fixed age to pop the question. People should consider emotional maturity, financial stability and whether they genuinely understand each other. Marriage makes more sense when both people are ready for the commitment rather than simply following social expectations. (cầu hôn ai)

Reconcile with sb

It can be worthwhile to reconcile with someone after a misunderstanding, especially when both sides genuinely care about the relationship. However, if the relationship repeatedly involves disrespect or manipulation, creating distance may be healthier than trying to repair it. (hòa giải với ai)

See eye to eye with sb = agree with sb = approve of sb

Close friends don't need to see eye to eye with each other on everything. In fact, respectful disagreement can be valuable because it challenges our assumptions. What matters is being able to disagree without attacking the other person's character. (đồng ý với ai)

Share sth with sb

I often share interesting ideas, personal experiences and occasionally my worries with my close friends. I don't think people need to reveal everything to be close, though. Healthy relationships should also respect each person's privacy and boundaries. (chia sẻ cái gì với ai)

Significant other

For me, a significant other should be emotionally mature, respectful and willing to communicate honestly. Shared interests are nice, but I think compatible values matter more because they influence how two people deal with conflict, responsibility and long-term decisions. (người thương, người yêu)

Stab in the back

Being stabbed in the back can be especially painful because trust is involved. People may betray friends because of jealousy, competition or insecurity. Whatever the reason, I think honesty is preferable to secretly undermining someone you claim to care about. (nói xấu sau lưng)

Strike up a friendship with sb

People can strike up a friendship with someone by starting a simple conversation and finding common interests. At school, shared projects or extracurricular activities make this easier because people naturally have opportunities to interact repeatedly and gradually build familiarity. (kết thân với ai)

Sympathize with sb/st

Being able to sympathize with others makes relationships more considerate. We don't have to agree with someone's decisions to understand why they feel a certain way. Empathy allows people to communicate without immediately judging or dismissing each other. (cảm thông với ai/cái gì)

Tell a lie to sb

I think there are situations where people tell a lie to protect someone's feelings, but honesty should generally be the foundation of a relationship. Small lies can seem harmless, yet repeated dishonesty gradually damages trust and makes genuine communication much harder. (nói dối ai)

The more the merrier

Usually, the more the merrier, especially when I'm celebrating something with friends. Large groups create more energy and different conversations. However, when I need to discuss something personal, I prefer a smaller group where everyone can actually listen to each other. (càng đông càng vui)

Threaten to do sth

When someone threatens to do something, it can create fear rather than trust. Even during an argument, people should communicate their boundaries without using threats. Healthy relationships need a sense of emotional safety, especially when disagreements become intense. (đe dọa làm gì)

Tune sb/st out

Some people tune others out when they feel overwhelmed or defensive. Taking a short break can be healthy, but deliberately ignoring someone without explaining why can make the conflict worse. Good communication requires listening even when the conversation is uncomfortable. (phớt lờ ai/cái gì)