khôn hồn

Definition

Adjective:
- Wise, sensible, prudent: Used to describe someone who acts wisely, sensibly, or cautiously, especially to avoid trouble or danger. Often implies a sense of self-preservation.
- Used as a warning or threat: Commonly used in imperative or exclamatory phrases to warn someone to act wisely or face consequences.

Usage Examples

As an adjective (describing a person's action): (He wisely slipped away to another place when he saw the two sides were about to fight.)
Used as a warning (often imperative): (You'd be wise to shut up!) (Be reasonable and pay up right now!)

Advanced Usage

"Khôn hồn mà..." / "Khôn hồn thì...": This structure is used to give a strong, often threatening, piece of advice. It translates to "You'd be wise to..." or "If you know what's good for you...". (If you know what's good for you, don't get involved in their business.)

Variants and Related Words

Khôn ngoan (adj): Wise, smart (general term for wisdom, less confrontational than "khôn hồn"). (She is a very wise leader.)
Khôn (adj): Smart, clever. (That child is clever beyond his years.)

Synonyms

Biết điều: To be reasonable, to know what's appropriate. (He should be reasonable and withdraw.)
Khéo (in certain contexts): To be tactful or careful (can imply avoiding trouble). (You should be careful a bit or you'll get scolded.)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

"Tỏ ra khôn hồn": To show oneself to be wise/sensible (in a given situation). (Seeing the tense atmosphere, he showed himself to be wise by not saying anything more.)

Related Idioms

"Khôn nhà dại chợ": Literally "smart at home, foolish at the market". Means someone who is bold/clever only in familiar, safe settings but ineffective elsewhere. (This contrasts with the self-preserving wisdom of "khôn hồn"). (Don't be a lion at home, a mouse abroad; you need to be braver in society.)
"Khôn ba năm dại một giờ": Literally "wise for three years, foolish for one hour". Means a moment of folly can ruin a long-standing reputation for wisdom. (He had a momentary lapse of judgment; one wrong decision cost him everything.)