Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Alert and awake: In a state of full consciousness, not sleepy or drowsy. Refers to physical wakefulness.
   • Clear-headed and lucid: In a state of mental clarity and sharpness, able to think rationally and not be confused by emotions or complex situations.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy uống cà phê để trở nên tỉnh táo. (He drinks coffee to become alert.)
  • Dù sốt cao, bệnh nhân vẫn rất tỉnh táo. (Despite a high fever, the patient remained very lucid.)
  • Chúng ta cần tỉnh táo trước những lời hứa hẹn đó. (We need to be clear-headed about those promises.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe a vigilant state of mind in strategic or dangerous contexts.
  • Người lính phải luôn tỉnh táo khi canh gác. (A soldier must always be vigilant while on guard duty.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tỉnh (adj): awake (from sleep), conscious. Often refers to the basic state of not being asleep.

  • Cô ấy đã tỉnh sau cơn mê. (She regained consciousness after the coma.)

• Tỉnh trí (adj): clear-minded, composed. Emphasizes mental composure.

  • Anh ấy giữ được tỉnh trí trong khủng hoảng. (He kept a clear mind during the crisis.)

Synonyms

• Alert: Watchful and quick to notice.
• Lucid: Thinking clearly, especially in difficult situations.
• Vigilant: Keeping careful watch for potential danger or difficulties.

Related Idioms

• Đầu óc tỉnh táo: A clear-headed mind.

  • Ra quyết định quan trọng cần một đầu óc tỉnh táo. (Making an important decision requires a clear-headed mind.)

• Tỉnh táo như sáo: (As alert as a starling) Very alert and perceptive.

  • Đối phó với hắn, cậu phải tỉnh táo như sáo. (To deal with him, you must be sharp as a tack.)

adj

1. alert, active, in full possession, vigilant