cơm đen

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "cơm đen" literally translates to "black rice" in English, but it has a few different meanings and usages that are important to understand.

Basic Definition:

1. Cơm đen (noun): In a figurative sense, "cơm đen" refers to opium. This usage is more colloquial and often appears in discussions about drug use or addiction.

Example Usage:

• Literal Meaning: When referring to food, "cơm đen" can mean black rice, which is a type of rice that is dark in color and often used in various dishes.

  • Example: "Tôi thích ăn cơm đen với cá kho." (I like to eat black rice with braised fish.)

• Figurative Meaning: In a conversation about drugs, you might hear:

  • Example: "Người ta nói rằng cơm đen rất nguy hiểm." (People say that opium is very dangerous.)

Advanced Usage:

• In a broader context, "cơm không lành canh không ngọt" (meaning "the rice is not good, the soup is not sweet") is a phrase that can signify family squabbles or conflicts within a family. This expression emphasizes that things are not harmonious or pleasant, often due to disputes or disagreements.

Word Variants:

• While "cơm đen" primarily refers to the dark rice or opium, related terms might include:
  • Cơm trắng: White rice, which is the most common type of rice in Vietnam.
  • Cơm: Just rice, without any color specification.

Different Meanings:

1. Food Context: Refers to a specific type of rice.
2. Drug Context: Refers to opium (slang).
3. Figurative Context: Refers to family conflicts, indicating disharmony.

Synonyms:

• For opium, you might encounter other slang or colloquial terms, but "cơm đen" is quite specific.
• For black rice, there are not many synonyms, but it can sometimes be referred to in the context of health or nutrition-related discussions.

Summary:

In summary, "cơm đen" can mean black rice in a literal sense, but it is more commonly used figuratively to refer to opium and, in some contexts, to denote family conflicts.

Academic

noun

1. (fig) Opium
   • cơm không lành canh không ngọt
     Family squabbles