cơn
Definition
Classifier:
- An episode or attack: Used to denote a sudden, temporary occurrence or bout of a phenomenon, often negative or intense, such as an illness, emotion, or weather event. It functions like the English "a fit of," "a bout of," or "an attack of."
- A gust or surge: Used to describe a sudden, brief increase in a natural force like wind or rain.
Noun (in specific compounds):
- While primarily a classifier, it can act as a noun meaning "a period" or "a spell" when part of established compound words.
Usage Examples
- Classifier:
- Anh ấy lên cơn sốt. (He had a bout of fever.)
- Trời đổ cơn mưa. (A rain shower started.)
- Cô ấy nổi cơn giận. (She flew into a fit of anger.)
- Một cơn gió mạnh thổi qua. (A strong gust of wind blew through.)
Advanced Usage
"cơn đau": an attack of pain, a pain episode.
- Bệnh nhân trải qua những cơn đau dữ dội. (The patient experiences intense bouts of pain.)
"cơn khủng hoảng": a crisis, a crisis episode.
- Đất nước trải qua một cơn khủng hoảng kinh tế. (The country went through an economic crisis.)
Variants and Related Words
Cơn bão (n): a storm (typhoon, hurricane).
- Cơn bão đang tiến vào đất liền. (The storm is moving inland.)
Cơn ho (n): a coughing fit.
- Một cơn ho dữ dội khiến anh ấy mệt mỏi. (A severe coughing fit left him exhausted.)
Cơn mê (n): a trance; a spell of unconsciousness or infatuation.
- Anh ta như đang trong cơn mê. (He is as if in a trance.)
Synonyms
- Bout: a short period of intense activity or illness.
- Fit: a sudden attack or outburst.
- Gust: a brief, strong rush of wind.
- Spell: a short, indefinite period of a condition.
Related Idioms
Cơn gió thoảng: a fleeting/gentle breeze (often metaphorical for something brief and pleasant).
- Hạnh phúc đó chỉ như cơn gió thoảng. (That happiness was just like a fleeting breeze.)
Cơn ác mộng: a nightmare (both literal and figurative).
- Trải nghiệm đó là một cơn ác mộng thực sự. (That experience was a real nightmare.)