trúng phong
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To be struck by wind / to be hit by a draft: The primary meaning describes the sudden onset of illness, typically a cold or similar ailment, believed to be caused by exposure to wind or a draft, especially when one is sweating or the body's defenses are lowered.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Đi mưa về không tắm ngay kẻo trúng phong. (Don't shower immediately after coming home in the rain or you might be struck by wind.)
- Ông ấy ngồi quạt máy suốt đêm nên bị trúng phong. (He sat in front of the electric fan all night and was hit by a draft.)
- Triệu chứng trúng phong thường là nhức đầu và sổ mũi. (The symptoms of being wind-struck are often a headache and a runny nose.)
Advanced Usage
- The concept of "trúng phong" is rooted in traditional East Asian medicine and folk belief, where "phong" (wind) is considered an external pathogenic factor that can invade the body and cause disharmony and illness. It is a culture-specific explanation for catching a cold.
Variants and Related Words
- Trúng gió (verb phrase): A more common colloquial synonym with the same meaning: to be struck by wind.
- Tôi tưởng anh bị trúng gió. (I thought you were struck by wind.)
- Cảm lạnh (verb/noun): To catch a cold; a cold. This is the modern, standard medical term.
- Cô ấy bị cảm lạnh. (She caught a cold.)
Synonyms
- To catch a chill
- To be wind-struck (literal translation of the concept)
Related Idioms
- Trúng phong hàn: A more specific traditional medical term combining "phong" (wind) and "hàn" (cold), indicating an illness caused by exposure to wind-cold.
- Mùa đông dễ bị trúng phong hàn. (It's easy to be struck by wind-cold in winter.)