Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sharing the same hardships: Describes a state of jointly enduring difficulties, bitterness, or suffering. It emphasizes solidarity and mutual support during tough times.
   • United in adversity: Implies a bond formed through shared struggle and collective perseverance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tinh thần đồng cam cộng khổ của đội ngũ nhân viên thật đáng khâm phục. (The staff's spirit of sharing hardships is truly admirable.)
  • Họ đã đồng cam vượt qua thời kỳ khó khăn nhất. (They shared the bitterness to overcome the most difficult period.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is most commonly and naturally used in the four-syllable idiom "đồng cam cộng khổ" (literally: sharing the bitterness and sharing the suffering). It is rare to see "đồng cam" used independently in modern Vietnamese without "cộng khổ."
  • Vợ chồng phải biết đồng cam cộng khổ. (Husband and wife must know how to share weal and woe.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đồng cam cộng khổ (idiom): To share weal and woe; to go through thick and thin together.
• Chia ngọt sẻ bùi (idiom): To share the sweet and the bitter; to share life's joys and sorrows (a related concept).

Synonyms

• To share hardships: To endure difficulties together.
• To be in the same boat: To be in the same difficult situation.
• Solidarity in adversity: Unity during hard times.

Related Idioms

• Đồng cam cộng khổ: The full, standard idiom meaning "to share weal and woe."
  • Lãnh đạo tốt là người biết đồng cam cộng khổ với nhân viên. (A good leader is one who knows how to share hardships with their employees.)