mắc xương
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To have a fishbone stuck in one's throat: The primary meaning describes the specific situation where a small, sharp bone from fish or poultry becomes lodged in a person's throat.
- To have a bone stuck in one's throat: A more general meaning for when any small bone gets stuck in the throat.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Tôi bị mắc xương khi ăn cá. (I got a fishbone stuck in my throat when eating fish.)
- Trẻ con dễ bị mắc xương. (Children easily get bones stuck in their throats.)
- Cô ấy đang mắc xương và cần đi khám. (She has a bone stuck in her throat and needs to see a doctor.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost always used with the verb "bị" (to suffer) to indicate the passive, unfortunate experience: "bị mắc xương".
- It describes a common, minor medical emergency and the associated discomfort.
Variants and Related Words
- Hóc xương (v): This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage (to choke on a bone/fishbone).
- Cháu bé bị hóc xương cá. (The child choked on a fishbone.)
Synonyms
- To choke on a bone: To have a bone obstruct the throat.
- To have a bone lodged in one's throat: A more formal description of the condition.
Related Idioms
- While not a direct idiom, the experience is commonly referenced in advice, such as:
- Ăn chậm kẻo mắc xương. (Eat slowly or you'll get a bone stuck.)