Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Wise; Sage: Possessing or showing good judgment, experience, and understanding, often leading to prudent and beneficial actions.
   • Clever; Smart; Astute: Having a quick and sharp intelligence, especially in practical matters; able to understand situations and act advantageously.
   • Shrewd; Cunning: (Can have a negative connotation) Showing sharp intelligence, often in a self-interested or deceptive way.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Người khôn là người biết lắng nghe. (A wise person is one who knows how to listen.)
  • Đứa trẻ đó khôn trước tuổi. (That child is clever beyond his years.)
  • Nó đưa ra một kế hoạch rất khôn. (He came up with a very shrewd plan.)

Advanced Usage

• "khôn ngoan": wise, prudent, sagacious. This compound emphasizes deep wisdom and sound judgment.
  • Cô ấy đã đưa ra quyết định khôn ngoan. (She made a wise decision.)
• "khôn lỏi": cunning, crafty, sly. This term has a distinctly negative connotation, implying trickiness.
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ buôn bán khôn lỏi. (He is a cunning trader.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khôn khéo (adj): tactful, diplomatic, skillful in handling situations.
  • Cô ấy xử lý tình huống rất khôn khéo. (She handled the situation very tactfully.)
• Khôn thiêng (adj): (Often used for spirits, gods) sacred and responsive; efficacious.
  • Cầu mong trời phật khôn thiêng. (I pray the sacred heavens and Buddha will respond.)

Synonyms

• Wise: Having experience and good judgment.
• Clever: Quick to understand and learn.
• Shrewd: Having sharp powers of judgment, especially in practical matters.
• Astute: Having an ability to accurately assess situations.

Related Idioms

• Khôn ba năm, dại một giờ: Wise for three years, foolish for one hour. (Even a wise person can make a serious mistake.)
  • Anh đừng hấp tấp, "khôn ba năm, dại một giờ" đấy. (Don't be hasty; remember, "wise for years, foolish in an hour.")
• Khôn của, thật của mình: (Literal: Cleverness is an asset, honesty is your own.) Being clever brings wealth, but honesty defines your character.
• Khôn nhà, dại chợ: Clever at home, foolish at the market. (Someone who acts confidently in familiar settings but is ineffective elsewhere.)

adj

1. wise; sage