mạnh giỏi
Definition
- Adjective:
- Healthy and well; strong and sound: Used primarily as a polite, formulaic inquiry or statement about a person's general health and well-being, especially in greetings or at the beginning of letters. It implies a state of being free from illness and possessing good physical (and sometimes general) condition.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Dạo này ông bà có mạnh giỏi không? (How have you [grandparents] been keeping well lately?)
- Chúc cả nhà luôn mạnh giỏi và hạnh phúc. (I wish the whole family always health and happiness.)
- Thưa bác, gia đình cháu vẫn mạnh giỏi. (Dear uncle/aunt, my family is still well.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is highly conventional and is almost exclusively used in social rituals of asking after or wishing for someone's health. It is more formal and polite than the neutral "khỏe" (healthy).
- It is commonly paired with "bình an" (safe and sound) in wishes: .
Variants and Related Words
- Mạnh khỏe (adj): Healthy and strong. This is the standard, more direct synonym and can be used in both formal and casual contexts.
- Anh ấy là một người rất mạnh khỏe. (He is a very healthy and strong person.)
- Khỏe mạnh (adj): Healthy and robust. The reversed order of "mạnh khỏe," with identical meaning.
- Bình an (adj): Safe and sound, peaceful. Often combined with health-related wishes.
Synonyms
- Healthy and well: The closest equivalent in common usage.
- In good health: A more formal equivalent.
- Strong and sound: Captures the combined sense of physical strength and general well-being.
Related Idioms
- Đầu xuôi đuôi lọt: Literally "if the head goes through, the tail will follow," meaning a good start leads to a good end. While not containing "mạnh giỏi," it shares the thematic space of wishing for favorable conditions, often extended to health and endeavors.