Definition

1. Verb:

   • To change course (of a river or stream): This refers to a natural waterway, such as a river or creek, shifting its main path or channel over time, often due to erosion, sedimentation, or flooding.
   • To meander / to divert: Describes the action of a river's flow altering its direction, which can be a gradual, natural process or a sudden diversion.

2. Verb (figurative use):

   • To change direction (of thought, conversation, or events): Used metaphorically to describe a significant shift in the course of discussion, ideas, plans, or a situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb (literal):

  • Con sông đã đổi dòng sau trận lũ lớn. (The river changed its course after the major flood.)
  • Địa hình bị xói mòn khiến dòng suối đổi dòng. (Erosion of the terrain caused the stream to meander.)

• Verb (figurative):

  • Cuộc họp đột ngột đổi dòng khi có tin mới. (The meeting suddenly changed direction when new information arrived.)
  • Anh ấy đổi dòng suy nghĩ sau lời khuyên đó. (He changed the course of his thinking after that advice.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Geographical Context: In geography and environmental science, "đổi dòng" describes the natural process of river channel migration or avulsion.
  • Hiện tượng đổi dòng liên tục tạo nên các đồng bằng châu thổ. (The constant phenomenon of changing course creates delta plains.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chuyển dòng (v): to divert a flow (often more intentional or engineered than "đổi dòng").

  • Dự án chuyển dòng nước để phục vụ tưới tiêu. (The project diverts water flow for irrigation.)

• Đổi hướng (v): to change direction (general term, not specific to waterways).

  • Xe buýt phải đổi hướng vì đường bị tắc. (The bus had to change direction because the road was blocked.)

Synonyms

• To change course: To alter the path or direction.
• To meander: To follow a winding and turning course.
• To shift: To move or change position or direction.
• To diverge: To depart from a set course or path.

Related Idioms

Note: "Đổi dòng" itself is not commonly used in fixed idiomatic expressions. Its figurative use is the extension of its literal meaning.