Definition

1. Noun:
   • Origin, source, root cause: "ngọn nguồn" refers to the very beginning, the original point of something, or the fundamental cause of a matter. It emphasizes tracing something back to its absolute starting point or deepest foundation.
   • Foundation, basis: It can also indicate the underlying basis or primary reason for a situation or event.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chúng ta cần tìm hiểu ngọn nguồn của vấn đề. (We need to understand the root cause of the problem.)
  • Câu chuyện này đã được kể lại từ ngọn nguồn. (This story has been told from its very origin.)
  • Phải dò cho đến ngọn nguồn lạch sông. (One must investigate all the way to the source of the stream's branch.)

Advanced Usage

• "từ ngọn đến nguồn" / "từ nguồn đến ngọn": This phrase means "from beginning to end" or "thoroughly, in every detail." It uses the imagery of following a stream from its mouth ("ngọn") back to its source ("nguồn") or vice versa, implying a complete examination.
  • Anh ấy nghiên cứu vấn đề từ ngọn đến nguồn. (He researched the issue thoroughly from beginning to end.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nguồn gốc (n): Origin, source. This is a more common synonym but may lack the poetic or thorough connotation of "ngọn nguồn."
• Căn nguyên (n): Root cause, origin (often used for the cause of diseases or problems).
• Khởi nguồn (n/v): Starting point, to originate from.

Synonyms

• Origin: The point or place where something begins.
• Root cause: The fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem.
• Foundation: The basis upon which something is built or established.
• Source: The place, person, or thing from which something originates.

Related Phrases

• Truy tìm ngọn nguồn: To trace back to the origin, to investigate the root.
  • Cảnh sát đang truy tìm ngọn nguồn của vụ án. (The police are tracing the case back to its origin.)

Related Idioms

• "Biết ngọn ngành": To know something inside out, to be thoroughly knowledgeable about all aspects of something. While not using "nguồn," this idiom shares the concept of knowing both the branches ("ngọn") and the stems ("ngành"), implying complete understanding.
  • Ông ấy biết ngọn ngành về lịch sử thị trấn. (He knows the complete history of the town.)

1. Origin, foundation