Definition

1. Noun:
   • Northeasterly wind: A cold wind blowing from the northeast direction, often occurring in winter in Vietnam.
   • Adverse wind / Headwind: In a figurative sense, it refers to an unfavorable wind for sailing or, more commonly, to metaphorical obstacles, opposition, or contrary forces one encounters.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trời đổ gió chướng, nhớ mặc áo ấm. (The northeasterly wind is picking up; remember to wear warm clothes.)
  • Thuyền buồm gặp gió chướng nên đi rất chậm. (The sailboat encountered a headwind, so it moved very slowly.)
  • Công việc kinh doanh của họ đang gặp phải nhiều luồng gió chướng. (Their business is facing many adverse winds [obstacles].)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literature and poetry to symbolize hardship, misfortune, or challenging circumstances that hinder progress.
  • Đời người không tránh khỏi những cơn gió chướng. (One's life cannot avoid adverse winds.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gió mùa Đông Bắc (n): Northeast monsoon. This is the more standard meteorological term for the seasonal cold wind from the northeast.
  • Miền Bắc Việt Nam chịu ảnh hưởng của gió mùa Đông Bắc vào mùa đông. (Northern Vietnam is affected by the northeast monsoon in winter.)

Synonyms

• Northeaster: A wind blowing from the northeast.
• Headwind: A wind blowing directly against the course of a moving object.
• Adversity: Difficulties or misfortune (for the figurative sense).

Related Idioms

• Ngược gió chướng: Literally "against the adverse wind," meaning to go against opposition or difficult circumstances.
  • Cô ấy vẫn kiên định bước tiếp ngược gió chướng. (She remained steadfast and continued forward against the adverse wind.)