Definition

1. Noun:

   • Iron: A strong, hard magnetic metal, silver-gray in color, used in construction and manufacturing. It is the main component of steel and is prone to rusting.
   • Something extremely hard or strong (figurative): Used metaphorically to describe something with great firmness, rigidity, or discipline.

2. Adjective:

   • Firm, hardened: Describes a state of becoming dry, hard, and solid.
   • Tense, rigid (of facial expression or voice): Describes a face or voice that becomes stiff, stern, or unyielding, often due to pain, anger, or determination.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cây cầu này được làm bằng sắt. (This bridge is made of iron.)
  • Công ty đó có kỷ luật sắt. (That company has iron discipline.)
• Adjective:
  • Miếng thịt rim lửa nhỏ cho đến khi sắt lại. (Simmer the meat over low heat until it hardens.)
  • Nghe tin đó, nét mặt anh ấy sắt lại. (Upon hearing that news, his facial expression tensed up.)

Advanced Usage

• "Dạ sắt, gan vàng": An idiom meaning "a heart of iron, a liver of gold," describing someone with great resilience and a noble spirit.
  • Người lính ấy quả thực là dạ sắt, gan vàng. (That soldier truly has a heart of iron and a liver of gold.)
• "Kỷ luật sắt": Iron discipline; very strict and unwavering rules.
  • Đội quân đó nổi tiếng với kỷ luật sắt. (That army is famous for its iron discipline.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sắt thép (n): Iron and steel; often refers to the metal industry or something very strong and durable.
  • Công nghiệp sắt thép (The iron and steel industry)
• Sắt son (adj): (Literally: iron-red) Faithful, steadfast, unchanging (often describing loyalty or promise).
  • Lòng trung thành sắt son (Unwavering loyalty)
• Thép (n): Steel (an alloy of iron and carbon).
• Gang (n): Cast iron (an alloy of iron with a high carbon content).

Synonyms

• Cứng (adj): Hard, rigid.
• Rắn (adj): Solid, firm, tough.
• Cứng rắn (adj): Firm, resolute (often for attitude or policy).

Related Phrases (Verb + 'sắt')

• Sắt lại (phrasal verb): To harden; to become firm, solid, or tense.
  • Sau khi nguội, hỗn hợp sẽ sắt lại. (After cooling, the mixture will harden.)
  • Giọng nói của cô ấy sắt lại đầy cảnh cáo. (Her voice hardened with warning.)

Related Idioms

• "Có công mài sắt, có ngày nên kim": Literally "With perseverance in grinding iron, one day it will become a needle." Meaning: Persistence and hard work lead to success.
  • Đừng bỏ cuộc, có công mài sắt, có ngày nên kim mà. (Don't give up; with perseverance, you will succeed.)
• "Sắt đá": (Iron and stone) Used to describe a very hard, cold, or unfeeling heart.
  • Trái tim sắt đá (A heart of stone)

noun

1. iron

adj

1. firm
2. wrung with pain