01. The Generation Gap

conservative /kənˈsɜːvətɪv/ (adj)

bảo thủ; thận trọng, không thích thay đổi. Ex: (1) My grandparents have conservative views (quan điểm bảo thủ) about education. (2) Some conservative parents prefer traditional teaching methods to modern approaches. (3) A conservative attitude towards social change can create tension when younger generations challenge long-established beliefs.

respectful /rɪˈspektfəl/ (adj)

tôn trọng, lễ phép. Ex: (1) Teenagers should be respectful towards their parents (tôn trọng cha mẹ). (2) A respectful conversation allows both generations to express their opinions without fear of being judged. (3) Even when young people strongly disagree with their elders, they can remain respectful while defending their own values.

irritating /ˈɪrɪteɪtɪŋ/ (adj)

gây khó chịu, làm bực mình. Ex: (1) My brother's irritating habit (thói quen gây khó chịu) is leaving his belongings everywhere. (2) Constant criticism from parents can be irritating for teenagers. (3) What adults consider helpful advice may become irritating when it is repeated without listening to a young person's concerns.

footstep /ˈfʊtstep/ (n)

bước chân; dấu chân; bước đi, con đường của người đi trước. Ex: (1) I heard footsteps outside my bedroom (tiếng bước chân bên ngoài phòng ngủ). (2) She decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a teacher. (3) Although he admired his father's achievements, he wanted to make his own choices rather than simply follow in his footsteps.

impart /ɪmˈpɑːt/ (v)

truyền đạt, truyền lại kiến thức hoặc phẩm chất. Ex: (1) Parents impart valuable lessons (truyền đạt những bài học quý giá) to their children. (2) Teachers impart knowledge while encouraging students to think independently. (3) Older generations can impart practical wisdom without expecting younger people to adopt every traditional belief.

impose /ɪmˈpəʊz/ (v)

áp đặt; ban hành, áp dụng. Ex: (1) Parents should not impose their opinions (áp đặt ý kiến của mình) on their children. (2) Strict rules imposed without explanation may lead to resentment among teenagers. (3) When adults impose their expectations without considering young people's aspirations, family relationships can deteriorate.

harmony /ˈhɑːməni/ (n)

sự hòa thuận, hòa hợp, hài hòa. Ex: (1) Family harmony (sự hòa thuận trong gia đình) is important to everyone. (2) Open communication helps different generations live together in harmony. (3) Achieving harmony within a family requires compromise, mutual respect, and a willingness to understand different perspectives.

inflict /ɪnˈflɪkt/ (v)

gây ra, giáng xuống điều đau đớn hoặc tổn hại. Ex: (1) Harsh words can inflict emotional pain (gây tổn thương tinh thần). (2) Some parents inflict unnecessary pressure on their children by setting unrealistic expectations. (3) Adults may unintentionally inflict lasting emotional harm when they repeatedly dismiss or ridicule their children's feelings.

instil /ɪnˈstɪl/ (v)

truyền, gieo vào tâm trí; làm cho thấm nhuần. Ex: (1) Parents should instil good values (truyền đạt những giá trị tốt đẹp) in their children. (2) Teachers can instil confidence in students by recognising their progress. (3) Rather than relying on punishment, parents can instil a sense of responsibility through consistent guidance and positive examples.

inflame /ɪnˈfleɪm/ (v)

làm bùng lên, khiến trở nên căng thẳng hoặc tức giận hơn; làm viêm. Ex: (1) His inflammatory remarks (những lời nói kích động) inflamed the argument. (2) Comparing siblings can inflame existing tensions within a family. (3) Accusations and personal attacks may inflame disagreements between generations instead of helping them reach a compromise.

respectable /rɪˈspektəbəl/ (adj)

đáng kính trọng; đứng đắn; khá tốt. Ex: (1) She comes from a respectable family (gia đình đứng đắn, đáng kính). (2) His parents wanted him to find a respectable job with a stable income. (3) A respectable career does not necessarily have to follow the traditional path preferred by one's family.

immature /ˌɪməˈtʃʊə/ (adj)

chưa trưởng thành, non nớt. Ex: (1) His immature behaviour (hành vi thiếu trưởng thành) annoyed his parents. (2) Teenagers may sometimes make immature decisions while learning to become independent. (3) Dismissing every disagreement as immature behaviour prevents adults from recognising that young people can hold thoughtful, reasonable opinions.

scold /skəʊld/ (v)

mắng, la rầy. Ex: (1) My mother scolded me for being late (mắng tôi vì đến muộn). (2) Parents sometimes scold their children without asking why they made a mistake. (3) Instead of scolding teenagers for their poor decisions, adults can help them reflect on the consequences and learn from experience.

frank /fræŋk/ (adj)

thẳng thắn, chân thành, nói thật. Ex: (1) We had a frank conversation (cuộc trò chuyện thẳng thắn) about my future. (2) Being frank about family problems can prevent misunderstandings from growing. (3) A frank but considerate discussion enables parents and teenagers to address sensitive issues without turning the conversation into a personal attack.

arise /əˈraɪz/ (v)

nảy sinh, phát sinh, xuất hiện. Ex: (1) Problems may arise (các vấn đề có thể nảy sinh) when people refuse to listen. (2) Conflicts often arise when parents and children have different expectations. (3) Serious misunderstandings can arise when one generation assumes that its values should automatically apply to everyone else.

object /əbˈdʒekt/ (v)

phản đối. Ex: (1) I object to being treated unfairly (phản đối việc bị đối xử bất công). (2) Some parents object to their children spending too much time online. (3) Young people may object to traditional rules when they believe those rules restrict their independence without providing clear benefits.

mutual /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/ (adj)

lẫn nhau, chung, có qua có lại. Ex: (1) Mutual respect (sự tôn trọng lẫn nhau) is essential in every relationship. (2) Parents and teenagers need mutual understanding to resolve disagreements. (3) A relationship based on mutual trust allows family members to express their concerns without fearing immediate criticism.

disapproval /ˌdɪsəˈpruːvəl/ (n)

sự không tán thành, sự phản đối. Ex: (1) She noticed her father's disapproval of her decision (sự không tán thành của cha đối với quyết định của cô). (2) Some teenagers hide their interests because they fear parental disapproval. (3) When adults express disapproval without explaining their concerns, young people may become defensive rather than reconsider their choices.

temptation /tempˈteɪʃən/ (n)

sự cám dỗ, điều hấp dẫn khó cưỡng. Ex: (1) He resisted the temptation to argue (sự cám dỗ muốn tranh cãi). (2) Teenagers may face the temptation to follow their friends even when they disagree with them. (3) Learning to resist the temptation to react angrily can help young people handle family disagreements more constructively.

resistance /rɪˈzɪstəns/ (n)

sự chống đối, kháng cự; sức đề kháng. Ex: (1) The new rules met with strong resistance (sự phản đối mạnh mẽ) from students. (2) Parental pressure can increase teenagers' resistance to advice. (3) Attempts to control every aspect of a young person's life may provoke resistance rather than encourage responsible independence.

rapport /ræˈpɔː/ (n)

mối quan hệ tốt đẹp, sự hòa hợp và thấu hiểu. Ex: (1) The teacher has a good rapport with students (mối quan hệ tốt với học sinh). (2) Building rapport between parents and teenagers takes time and patience. (3) Adults who listen without immediately judging can establish rapport with young people and encourage more honest communication.

demand /dɪˈmɑːnd/ (v)

đòi hỏi, yêu cầu một cách mạnh mẽ. Ex: (1) My parents demand that I study harder (đòi hỏi tôi học chăm chỉ hơn). (2) Some adults demand obedience without explaining the reasons behind their rules. (3) Demanding that teenagers accept every decision without question may undermine their ability to develop independent judgement.

negotiation /nɪˌɡəʊʃiˈeɪʃən/ (n)

sự đàm phán, thương lượng. Ex: (1) Successful negotiation (sự thương lượng thành công) requires patience. (2) Parents and teenagers can use negotiation to agree on reasonable curfews. (3) Through respectful negotiation, families can balance parental concerns about safety with teenagers' growing need for autonomy.

rigid /ˈrɪdʒɪd/ (adj)

cứng nhắc, không linh hoạt. Ex: (1) My school has rigid rules (những quy định cứng nhắc) about uniforms. (2) A rigid parenting style may discourage children from expressing their opinions. (3) Rigid expectations about education and career choices can prevent young people from exploring opportunities suited to their abilities.

thoughtful /ˈθɔːtfəl/ (adj)

chu đáo; sâu sắc, biết suy nghĩ thấu đáo. Ex: (1) It was thoughtful of you (bạn thật chu đáo) to ask how I felt. (2) A thoughtful parent considers a child's feelings before making a decision. (3) Thoughtful communication allows adults to offer guidance while respecting the different experiences and aspirations of younger generations.

approachable /əˈprəʊtʃəbəl/ (adj)

dễ gần, dễ tiếp cận, dễ nói chuyện. Ex: (1) My teacher is friendly and approachable (thân thiện và dễ gần). (2) Parents who are approachable make it easier for teenagers to discuss personal problems. (3) By remaining calm and approachable, adults can create an environment in which young people feel safe discussing difficult subjects.

flashy /ˈflæʃi/ (adj)

lòe loẹt, phô trương, hào nhoáng. Ex: (1) He bought a flashy jacket (chiếc áo khoác lòe loẹt) to impress his friends. (2) My grandparents think flashy clothes are unnecessary. (3) Differences in attitudes towards flashy fashion can reflect contrasting ideas about individuality, modesty, and social status.

elegant /ˈelɪɡənt/ (adj)

thanh lịch, tao nhã, tinh tế. Ex: (1) She wore an elegant dress (chiếc váy thanh lịch) to the ceremony. (2) Her grandparents prefer elegant, simple clothing to fashionable outfits. (3) Although younger people may favour casual styles, older generations often associate elegant dress with professionalism and respectability.

engagement /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (n)

sự tham gia, gắn kết; sự đính hôn; cuộc hẹn. Ex: (1) Student engagement in class (sự tham gia của học sinh trong lớp) improves learning. (2) Parental engagement in education can support children's academic development. (3) Meaningful intergenerational engagement creates opportunities for older and younger people to exchange knowledge and challenge stereotypes.

frustrating /frʌˈstreɪtɪŋ/ (adj)

gây bực bội, khiến thất vọng vì không đạt được điều mong muốn. Ex: (1) It is frustrating to be misunderstood (thật bực bội khi bị hiểu lầm). (2) Repeated arguments with parents can be frustrating for teenagers. (3) It can be particularly frustrating when both generations want the best for each other but cannot communicate their expectations effectively.

advance /ədˈvɑːns/ (n)

sự tiến bộ, bước tiến; sự phát triển. Ex: (1) Recent advances in technology (những tiến bộ gần đây trong công nghệ) have changed communication. (2) Medical advances have improved people's quality of life. (3) Advances in digital communication have widened the generational divide in some families while creating new opportunities for connection in others.

foster /ˈfɒstə/ (v)

nuôi dưỡng, thúc đẩy, khuyến khích sự phát triển. Ex: (1) Parents should foster independence (nuôi dưỡng tính độc lập) in their children. (2) Schools can foster mutual respect by encouraging students to discuss different viewpoints. (3) Creating opportunities for open dialogue can foster trust between generations and reduce the likelihood of long-term resentment.

inhibit /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ (v)

kiềm chế, ngăn cản, kìm hãm. Ex: (1) Fear can inhibit creativity (kìm hãm sự sáng tạo). (2) Strict rules may inhibit teenagers from expressing their opinions. (3) An overly controlling environment can inhibit the development of independent thinking and discourage young people from taking appropriate responsibility.

showcase /ˈʃəʊkeɪs/ (v,n)

trưng bày, giới thiệu nổi bật; buổi trưng bày. Ex: (1) The event will showcase young talent (giới thiệu tài năng trẻ). (2) The exhibition showcases the achievements of several generations. (3) Community projects can showcase the valuable contributions that both older and younger people make to society.

pose a risk to somebody/something /pəʊz ə rɪsk tə ˈsʌmbədi/ (phr)

gây ra nguy cơ đối với ai/cái gì. Ex: (1) Too much screen time may pose a risk to children's sleep (gây nguy cơ ảnh hưởng đến giấc ngủ của trẻ). (2) Ignoring family conflicts can pose a risk to emotional well-being. (3) Constantly comparing teenagers with others may pose a risk to their confidence and their ability to develop a healthy sense of identity.

instil something into something /ɪnˈstɪl ˈsʌmθɪŋ ˈɪntuː ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ (phr)

truyền, gieo một phẩm chất hoặc niềm tin vào ai/cái gì. Ex: (1) Parents try to instil confidence into their children (truyền sự tự tin cho con cái). (2) Schools should instil a sense of responsibility into their students. (3) It is more effective to instil respect for different viewpoints into young people through example than through punishment alone.

resort to something /rɪˈzɔːt tə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ (phr)

phải dùng đến, viện đến một biện pháp thường không mong muốn. Ex: (1) He resorted to shouting (phải dùng đến việc quát tháo) when the argument escalated. (2) Parents should avoid resorting to punishment whenever their children make mistakes. (3) When constructive communication fails, some families resort to silence or threats, which can deepen existing misunderstandings.

do more harm than good /duː mɔː hæm ðən ɡʊd/ (phr)

gây hại nhiều hơn lợi. Ex: (1) Constant criticism may do more harm than good (sự chỉ trích liên tục có thể gây hại nhiều hơn lợi). (2) Forcing teenagers to follow a particular career path may do more harm than good. (3) Although strict rules are sometimes intended to protect young people, excessive control can do more harm than good by undermining trust and independence.

be at loggerheads with somebody /bi ət ˈlɒɡəhedz wɪð ˈsʌmbədi/ (phr)

mâu thuẫn gay gắt, bất đồng sâu sắc với ai. Ex: (1) He is at loggerheads with his father (mâu thuẫn gay gắt với cha mình) over his future. (2) The two generations are often at loggerheads over fashion and technology. (3) Parents and teenagers may find themselves at loggerheads when traditional expectations conflict with changing social values.

keep up with /kiːp ʌp wɪð/ (phr v)

theo kịp, cập nhật, bắt kịp. Ex: (1) My grandparents find it difficult to keep up with new technology (theo kịp công nghệ mới). (2) Parents sometimes struggle to keep up with the latest trends among teenagers. (3) As social norms evolve rapidly, older generations may find it challenging to keep up with the changing attitudes of younger people.

pave the way for /peɪv ðə weɪ fɔː/ (phr)

mở đường cho, tạo điều kiện để điều gì xảy ra. Ex: (1) Open communication paves the way for trust (giao tiếp cởi mở mở đường cho sự tin tưởng). (2) Education can pave the way for greater independence among young people. (3) Encouraging respectful discussions between generations can pave the way for lasting improvements in family relationships and mutual understanding.