Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Critical; in a critical condition: Describes a situation, typically a medical condition or state of affairs, that is extremely serious and dangerous, with a high risk of death or catastrophic failure.
   • Perilous; dire: Refers to a state of extreme danger or emergency where the outcome is uncertain and potentially disastrous.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bệnh nhân đang trong tình trạng nguy kịch. (The patient is in a critical condition.)
  • Tình hình an ninh ở khu vực đó trở nên nguy kịch. (The security situation in that area has become perilous.)
  • Sau vụ tai nạn, sức khỏe của ông ấy rất nguy kịch. (After the accident, his health was very critical.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in formal or news contexts to describe severe medical prognoses, military situations, or political crises.
• Can modify abstract nouns like (situation), (situation/state), or (stage/phase).

Variants and Related Words

• Nguy cấp (adj): urgent, critical. Often used interchangeably with nguy kịch, though nguy kịch may imply a slightly higher degree of immediate life-threatening danger.

  • Tình hình nguy cấp đòi hỏi hành động tức thì. (The urgent situation requires immediate action.)

• Nghiêm trọng (adj): serious, severe. A broader term for seriousness, not necessarily implying immediate mortal danger.

  • Thương tích của anh ấy rất nghiêm trọng. (His injuries are very serious.)

Synonyms

• Critical: of the greatest importance to the way things might happen; at a point of crisis.
• Dire: extremely serious or urgent.
• Perilous: full of danger or risk.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Trong tình trạng nguy kịch: in a critical state/condition.

  • Con tàu đang trong tình trạng nguy kịch và có thể chìm. (The ship is in a critical state and may sink.)

• Cận kề nguy kịch: on the brink of a critical state; teetering on the edge.

  • Cuộc đàm phán đã cận kề nguy kịch trước khi đạt được thỏa thuận. (The negotiations were on the brink of collapse before an agreement was reached.)