đột quỵ
[ʔɗot̚˧˨ʔ kwi˧˨ʔ]
In Vietnamese, the English phrase 'stroke' is translated as đột quỵ.
The term đột quỵ is used to describe a loss of brain function caused by an interrupted blood supply to the brain. To express that someone has had a stroke, you should use the phrase bị đột quỵ, adding the verb bị (to suffer or be hit by) before the noun.
Meaning: loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word đột quỵ is composed of đột, meaning sudden and quỵ, meaning to collapse or fall down.
Which one should you use?
While đột quỵ is the common term used in daily conversation, tai biến mạch máu não is a more formal, medical term for a cerebrovascular accident.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the term đứt quai nón is used to refer to a stroke.
Related words
Did you know?
- Because đột quỵ is a Sino-Vietnamese word, it shares its conceptual roots with similar terms used for sudden collapse in Chinese and Korean.
- The word quỵ shares the same root as quỳ, which means 'to kneel'. Both terms originate from the physical act of the legs giving way.
- The formal medical term tai biến mạch máu não contains the word tai biến, which generally refers to an accident or a catastrophe.
Examples in context
- Tom mới vừa bị đột quỵ.Tom just had a stroke.This sentence is useful for showing how to use đột quỵ to describe a person having suffered a stroke.Tatoeba #12132308 by phongvu, translation #2986592 by CK
- Bác sĩ, tôi nghĩ mẹ tôi đã bị đột quỵ.Doctor, I think my mother had a stroke.
- Tôi không thể tin mình đã trải qua một cú đột quỵ.I can't believe I've had a stroke.
- Ông ấy đang hồi phục sau một cơn đột quỵ.He is recovering from a stroke.
- Đột quỵ có thể gây ra di chứng nặng nề.A stroke can cause severe aftereffects.
Example conversation
Mai and Hùng are discussing health risks with their elderly parents.
- MaiHùng ơi, mình nên đưa bố đi khám sức khỏe.Hùng, we should take Dad for a health check-up.
- HùngAnh đồng ý, vì anh ấy có nguy cơ bị đột quỵ.I agree, because he is at risk of having a stroke.
- MaiĐúng vậy, huyết áp của bố đang hơi cao.That's true, Dad's blood pressure is a bit high.
- HùngVậy anh sẽ hẹn bác sĩ vào tuần tới.Then I will make an appointment with the doctor next week.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stroke” translations and entries đột quỵ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quỵ, đột, đột quỵ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
