Definition

1. Noun:
   • Back cartilage: The literal anatomical meaning, referring to the cartilaginous structures in the spinal column or back region.
   • Backache / Sore back: A common figurative and colloquial meaning describing a state of pain, stiffness, or fatigue in the back muscles, often from overexertion or poor posture.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Anatomical):
  • Bác sĩ nói vấn đề nằm ở sụn lưng. (The doctor said the problem lies in the back cartilage.)
• Noun (Figurative/Colloquial):
  • Làm việc nặng cả ngày, tôi bị sụn lưng. (Doing heavy work all day, I have a sore back.)
  • Ngồi máy tính lâu dễ bị sụn lưng. (Sitting at the computer for a long time easily leads to a backache.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in informal, everyday speech to complain about physical discomfort. It is not a formal medical term for conditions like "sciatica" or "herniated disc," but rather a general expression for common back pain.

Variants and Related Words

• Đau lưng (n): Back pain. This is a more standard and direct term for backache.
  • Ông ấy hay kêu đau lưng. (He often complains of back pain.)
• Mỏi lưng (adj/phrase): Tired/aching back.
  • Đứng nhiều khiến tôi mỏi lưng. (Standing a lot makes my back tired.)

Synonyms

• Backache: A general term for pain in the back.
• Sore back: Aching or tender back muscles.
• Lumbago: A dated or formal term for pain in the lower back.

Related Idioms

• While "sụn lưng" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, the concept of back pain is often expressed in phrases describing its cause.
  • Làm cho sụn lưng gối mỏi: To work until one's back aches and knees are tired (to work extremely hard to the point of physical exhaustion).