sóng ngầm
Definition
Noun:
- Undercurrent: A strong current of water that flows beneath the surface, often in a different direction from the surface water. This is the literal, physical meaning.
- Undercurrent (figurative): A hidden or underlying feeling, influence, or trend that is not immediately obvious but has a powerful effect. This is the most common figurative usage.
Noun (figurative extension):
- Underlying tension / subterranean force: A concealed force, conflict, or discontent within a group, society, or situation that may eventually cause a significant change or eruption.
Usage Examples
- Noun (literal):
- Người tắm biển bị sóng ngầm cuốn ra xa. (The swimmer was pulled out to sea by an undercurrent.)
- Noun (figurative):
- Trong cuộc họp có những sóng ngầm bất đồng. (There were undercurrents of disagreement during the meeting.)
- Xã hội đó tồn tại nhiều sóng ngầm nguy hiểm. (That society harbors many dangerous undercurrents.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe hidden political or social movements.
- Những sóng ngầm trong lòng xã hội cuối cùng đã dẫn đến thay đổi. (The undercurrents within society finally led to change.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dòng chảy ngầm (n): underground flow, subterranean stream (can be used both literally and figuratively).
- Sự ngấm ngầm (n): a state of being hidden, covert, or simmering beneath the surface.
Synonyms
- Undercurrent
- Undertow (more specific to the literal, pulling current)
- Subsurface current
- Hidden force
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Sống trong sóng ngầm: to live amidst hidden tensions or dangers.
- Cộng đồng nhỏ đó phải sống trong sóng ngầm của các cuộc xung đột cũ. (That small community has to live amidst the undercurrents of old conflicts.)
- The term itself often functions idiomatically to represent any powerful but concealed dynamic.