lành dạ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having good digestion / being regular: Describes a person whose digestive system functions well and comfortably, particularly with normal, healthy bowel movements.
- Good-natured / kind-hearted (figurative): In a figurative sense, it can describe someone who is inherently good, gentle, and without malice, implying an inner "goodness" much like a physically healthy gut.
Usage Examples
Adjective (Literal - Physical):
- Đứa trẻ này rất lành dạ, ăn gì cũng tiêu hết. (This child has very good digestion; they can digest anything they eat.)
- Tôi mong sau khi uống thuốc sẽ lành dạ hơn. (I hope to have better digestion after taking this medicine.)
Adjective (Figurative - Character):
- Bà ấy là người lành dạ, không bao giờ nghĩ xấu về ai. (She is a good-natured person who never thinks ill of anyone.)
- Anh ấy trông có vẻ cục cằn nhưng thực ra rất lành dạ. (He looks gruff but is actually very kind-hearted.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to contrast with digestive problems like diarrhea ("tháo dạ" or "tiêu chảy"). To say someone is not "lành dạ" implies they have a sensitive or problematic digestive system.
- The figurative use connects physical well-being to moral character, a common metaphorical link in many languages (e.g., "good gut" implying a good person).
Variants and Related Words
- Lành tính (adj): Good-tempered, gentle-natured. This is more commonly used than the figurative sense of "lành dạ" to describe character.
- Ông chủ mới rất lành tính. (The new boss is very good-tempered.)
Synonyms
- Good digestion: (for the literal meaning).
- Kind-hearted / Good-natured: (for the figurative meaning).
- Regular: (referring to bowel movements).
Related Idioms
- Ăn ngon lành dạ: To eat well and digest well, implying a state of good health and comfort.
- Cứ về quê là tôi lại ăn ngon lành dạ. (Whenever I go back to my hometown, I eat well and digest perfectly.)