lên cơn
Definition
Verb phrase:
- To have an attack / to have a fit: Refers to the sudden onset or recurrence of symptoms of an illness or medical condition, such as a seizure, fever, or coughing fit.
- To have an episode / to flare up: Describes a period when a chronic or latent condition becomes active and symptomatic.
Verb phrase (figurative):
- To have a bout / to fly into a state: Used colloquially to describe a sudden, intense onset of an emotional or behavioral state, such as anger, laughter, or jealousy.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase (medical):
- Bệnh nhân lên cơn co giật. (The patient had a seizure.)
- Cháu bé lên cơn sốt cao đêm qua. (The child had a high fever last night.)
- Verb phrase (figurative):
- Anh ta đột nhiên lên cơn ghen. (He suddenly flew into a jealous rage.)
- Cả lớp lên cơn cười. (The whole class had a fit of laughter.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often followed by the specific condition or state, forming a common structure: "lên cơn + [noun of illness/emotion]".
- lên cơn đau tim: to have a heart attack.
- lên cơn ho: to have a coughing fit.
- lên cơn thịnh nộ: to fly into a fury.
Variants and Related Words
- Cơn (n): An attack, fit, bout, or spell. This noun is the core component and is used in many medical and figurative phrases.
- cơn sốt: a fever / fever attack.
- cơn giận: a fit of anger.
Synonyms
- To have an attack: For medical contexts.
- To have a fit: For both medical and emotional contexts.
- To flare up: For chronic conditions.
- To erupt: For sudden emotional states.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Lên cơn điên: To have a mad fit; to fly off the handle.
- Đừng lên cơn điên như thế. (Don't fly off the handle like that.)
- Lên cơn sốt (vàng/đất): To have a (gold/land) fever; to become obsessed with a speculative trend.
- Cả thị trường lên cơn sốt mua đất. (The whole market was caught up in a land-buying fever.)