Definition

1. Noun:
   • Singsong girl, geisha: In historical contexts, 'đào nương' refers to a professional female singer and entertainer, often trained in music, poetry, and dance, similar to a geisha in Japanese culture.
   • Professional chanteuse: An archaic term for a woman whose profession is singing, typically in a formal or courtly setting.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong văn học cổ, hình ảnh đào nương thường gắn với ca hát và đàn sáo. (In classical literature, the image of a singsong girl is often associated with singing and playing musical instruments.)
  • Vai diễn một đào nương trong vở tuồng rất được chú ý. (The role of a geisha in the classical drama received much attention.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in historical, literary, or artistic discussions about pre-modern Vietnamese society. It is considered an archaic (cũ) or historical (arch.) term and is not used in contemporary everyday language to refer to modern singers or performers.

Variants and Related Words

• Ca nương: A more modern or alternative term sometimes used for a female singer, though it lacks the specific historical/entertainer connotations of 'đào nương'.
• Ả đào: An even more archaic term with a similar meaning, often found in very old texts or folk poetry.

Synonyms

• Geisha (Japanese context): A female Japanese entertainer skilled in traditional arts.
• Chanteuse (French-derived): A female singer, especially in clubs or restaurants. (Note: This captures the "professional singer" aspect but not the full historical/cultural context of 'đào nương').

Related Phrases/Idioms

• : Refers to the singers and actors in traditional Vietnamese theatre (like Tuồng or Chèo), emphasizing the performing arts troupe.
  • Gánh hát ngày xưa thường có các đào nương kép hát tài ba. (The old theatre troupes often had talented singers and actors.)

1. (cũ) Singsong girl, geisha