Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be addicted to: To have a strong and harmful physical or psychological dependence on a substance, typically a drug, alcohol, or tobacco. It describes a compulsive need and habit.
   • To be hooked on: (Informal) To be very fond of or excessively involved in something to the point of it being a strong habit.

Usage

• The word "ghiền" is a verb used to describe a state of addiction. It is commonly used in Southern Vietnamese dialects and is synonymous with the standard Northern term "nghiện".
• It is primarily used with objects that are addictive substances. The structure is "ghiền + [substance/activity]".
• It can also be used informally to express a very strong liking for a non-harmful activity, similar to "to be hooked on" in English.

Examples

• With addictive substances:

  • Anh ấy ghiền thuốc lá nặng. (He is heavily addicted to cigarettes.)
  • Cô ấy đang cố gắng cai vì ghiền rượu. (She is trying to quit because she is addicted to alcohol.)
  • Bệnh nhân đó ghiền ma túy. (That patient is addicted to drugs.)

• Informal use for strong habits/likes:

  • Tôi ghiền cà phê sáng. (I'm hooked on morning coffee. / I'm addicted to morning coffee.)
  • Con tôi ghiền trò chơi điện tử. (My child is hooked on video games.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ghiền như ...": A simile structure meaning "addicted like a...", used for emphasis.
  • Ghiền như ông tiên nho nhỏ. (Addicted like a little Taoist immortal.) - A folk saying describing a heavy addict.
• "Lên cơn ghiền": To experience cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
  • Anh ta đang lên cơn ghiền thuốc. (He is having cigarette cravings.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nghiện (verb): The standard Vietnamese word for "to be addicted to". It is used nationwide and is interchangeable with "ghiền" in most contexts.
  • nghiện game (addicted to gaming)
• Cơn ghiền / Cơn nghiện (noun): A craving, a fit of addiction.
• Đồ ghiền / Đồ nghiện (noun, informal): An addict.
• Ghiền xì ke (phrase): Slang for being addicted to heroin.

Synonyms

• Nghiện ngập (verb): To be deeply addicted (more formal/literary).
• Phụ thuộc vào (verb phrase): To be dependent on (can be used in medical contexts).
• Say mê (verb): To be passionate about, to be engrossed in (for non-substance contexts, implies a strong positive interest rather than a harmful addiction).

Related Phrases

• Cai ghiền: To quit an addiction, to undergo detox.
  • Trung tâm cai ghiền (Rehabilitation center)
• Ghiền nặng: To be heavily/severely addicted.
• Vật ghiền: A slang term for an addict.

Idioms

• "Ghiền như điếu đổ": A very common idiom meaning "hopelessly addicted" (literally: addicted like a fallen cigarette).
  • Hút cả gói một ngày, đúng là ghiền như điếu đổ. (Smoking a pack a day, he's truly hopelessly addicted.)

verb

1. to be addicted tọ
   • ghiền thuốc lá
     to be addicted to cigarette smoking
   • ghiền rượu
     to addicted todrink