Giác

Giác is a Vietnamese morpheme and Sino-Vietnamese term derived from the Han character 覺, meaning to perceive, wake, or realize. In contemporary Vietnamese, giác functions as a root in many compound nouns and adjectives, and can also appear as a stand-alone noun in discussions of perception and awareness, especially in philosophy and psychology.

Common compounds include giác quan (sense organs or senses), giác ngộ (enlightenment or spiritual awakening), tự giác (self-awareness or self-discipline), and giác mạc (cornea). The meaning shifts with the compound: from basic perception (giác) to active awakening (giác ngộ) or to anatomical terms (giác mạc).

In Buddhist and philosophical contexts, giác is prominent, notably in terms like Chánh giác (right awakening) and giác ngộ, which denote insight into ultimate realities and the path to awakening. These usages reflect a Vietnamese conception of cognition as both perception and realization, bridging everyday awareness with spiritual insight.

Usage notes: Giác is common in formal writing, science, and religious discourse, but is rarely used as a free-standing verb; its meaning is carried by the accompanying word in the compound. The term also appears in anatomical vocabulary (such as giác mạc) and in ethical or psychological discussions (những suy nghĩ liên quan đến giác ngộ, self-awareness).