tai nàn
Definition
- Noun:
- Accident / Mishap: An unfortunate event that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. This is the modern and primary meaning.
- Disaster / Calamity (archaic): An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress. This is an older, less common usage.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Anh ta đã gặp một tai nạn giao thông nghiêm trọng. (He was in a serious traffic accident.)
- Mọi người cần cẩn thận để tránh tai nạn trong nhà bếp. (People need to be careful to avoid accidents in the kitchen.)
- Trận động đất là một tai nàn lớn đối với thành phố. (The earthquake was a great disaster for the city.) [Archaic usage]
Advanced Usage
- The word "tai nàn" is an archaic spelling variant of the modern standard word "tai nạn". In contemporary Vietnamese, "tai nạn" is universally used.
Variants and Related Words
Tai nạn (n): The standard modern form meaning "accident".
- Công ty có chính sách bảo hiểm cho tai nạn lao động. (The company has an insurance policy for work accidents.)
Tai họa (n): disaster, catastrophe. A stronger word for a large-scale calamity.
- Hạn hán là một tai họa thiên nhiên. (Drought is a natural disaster.)
Synonyms
- Accident: An unfortunate incident.
- Mishap: An unlucky accident.
- Disaster (for archaic usage): A sudden event causing great damage.
Related Idioms
Tai bay vạ gió: Misfortune that comes out of nowhere.
- Chiếc xe bị hỏng, đúng là tai bay vạ gió. (The car broke down, it's a real bolt from the blue.)
Tai vạ: Calamity, trouble.
- Gia đình họ gặp phải tai vạ. (Their family encountered calamity.)