Definition

1. Noun:
   • The cause or origin of a disease: The fundamental source, root, or underlying reason for an illness or medical condition.
   • An illness, disease, or malady (often with a connotation of being deep-seated or chronic): Refers to the disease itself, particularly when implying it is a long-standing, ingrained, or serious affliction.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thầy thuốc đã tìm ra căn bệnh. (The physician has found the cause of the disease.)
  • Căn bệnh ung thư vẫn là thách thức lớn. (The disease of cancer remains a great challenge.)
  • Đó là một căn bệnh lâu đời của xã hội. (That is a long-standing malady of society.)

Advanced Usage

• "căn bệnh" in a social or metaphorical context: Used to describe a persistent, harmful problem within a system, organization, or society.
  • Tham nhũng được coi là một căn bệnh nan giải. (Corruption is considered an intractable disease/malady.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bệnh (n): A more general and common term for disease, sickness, or illness.

  • Anh ấy đang nghỉ ốm vì bệnh. (He is on sick leave because of an illness.)

• Nguyên nhân bệnh (n): The cause of a disease (a more clinical or direct phrase).

  • Các bác sĩ đang nghiên cứu nguyên nhân bệnh. (The doctors are researching the cause of the disease.)

Synonyms

• Origin/Cause (of a disease): The source from which the illness arises.
• Malady: A serious or long-lasting illness, often used in formal or literary contexts.
• Affliction: A condition of suffering or distress due to illness.

Related Idioms

• Căn bệnh thế kỷ: Literally "the disease of the century," often referring to a major, widespread epidemic or societal problem of the era (e.g., HIV/AIDS).
  • HIV từng được gọi là căn bệnh thế kỷ. (HIV was once called the disease of the century.)

1. Cause (origin) of a disease
   • thầy thuốc đã tìm ra căn bệnh
     the physician has found the cause of the disease ill