điên
[ʔɗiən˧˧]
The English word "mad" can be translated into Vietnamese as điên.
When you want to describe the process of becoming mad or losing one's temper, the phrase phát điên is commonly used.
Meaning: angry (adj)
Did you know?
- The term điên is used in the common expression điên đầu, which literally means 'mad head' but refers to the feeling of being stressed or overwhelmed by a difficult problem.
- When used as an adjective for a person, điên can function as a strong insult or a term of endearment depending entirely on the kinship term used before it.
- The word điên shares its written root with the Chinese character 癲, which originally described a specific type of mental instability in historical medical texts.
Examples in context
- Cô ấy làm tôi phát điên.She drives me mad.This sentence shows how to use điên to describe someone driving another person mad.Tatoeba #9764548 by dotheduyet1999, translation #308506 by CK
- Trong một thế giới điên rồ, chỉ có những kẻ điên mới là người tỉnh táo.In a mad world only the mad are sane.This sentence uses điên to refer to mad people in a crazy world.Tatoeba #3484858 by tucm, translation #741469 by saeb
- Tôi tức quá!I'm so mad!
- Tôi giận dữ lắm!I am furious!
- Anh ấy đang điên lên vì giận.He is going mad with anger.
Example conversation
Hương and Nam are talking about a fight with a friend.
- HươngNam, cậu có biết tại sao cô ấy điên không?Nam, do you know why she is mad?
- NamHình như cậu đã quên ngày sinh nhật cô ấy.It seems like you forgot her birthday.
- HươngÔi không, hèn gì cô ấy lại điên như vậy.Oh no, no wonder she is so mad.
- NamHãy mau xin lỗi cô ấy đi.Go apologize to her quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry điên, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries điên, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
