The Vietnamese word "rét cóng" translates to "freezing cold" in English. It is used to describe extremely cold weather, often when temperatures are low enough to make people feel very uncomfortable or even painful due to the cold.
"Rét cóng" can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or feeling that is emotionally cold or unwelcoming. For example, if someone is acting very distant or unfriendly, you might say their demeanor feels "rét cóng."
While "rét cóng" specifically refers to extreme cold, "rét" alone means "cold," and "cóng" can sometimes refer to feelings of being frozen or immobilized due to cold.
In summary, "rét cóng" is a descriptive term for very cold weather. It’s useful for expressing discomfort due to low temperatures and can also be adapted to describe emotional states.