Definition

1. Noun:
   • A three-wire lamp: A traditional Vietnamese hanging oil lamp, historically common in rural areas, characterized by having three adjustable wicks or "wires" for controlling the flame's brightness.
   • A specific type of oil lamp: A suspended kerosene lamp with a distinctive design featuring three separate wick channels, allowing for a broader and brighter light compared to single-wick lamps.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ánh sáng từ chiếc đèn ba dây tỏa ra ấm áp. (The light from the đèn ba dây spread warmly.)
  • Trong ký ức của bà, hình ảnh chiếc đèn ba dây treo ở gian bếp thật rõ ràng. (In my grandmother's memory, the image of the đèn ba dây hanging in the kitchen is very clear.)
  • Đèn ba dây là một vật dụng quen thuộc của nhiều gia đình Việt Nam ngày trước. (The đèn ba dây was a familiar item in many Vietnamese households in the past.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "đèn ba dây" is often used in literature and storytelling to evoke nostalgia and depict the atmosphere of past decades in Vietnam.
  • Truyện ngắn đó miêu tả cảnh gia đình quây quần dưới ánh đèn ba dây. (That short story depicts a family gathering under the light of a đèn ba dây.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đèn dầu (n): oil lamp, kerosene lamp. This is the general category to which the đèn ba dây belongs.

  • Đèn dầu đã được thay thế bằng đèn điện. (Oil lamps have been replaced by electric lights.)

• Đèn măng sông (n): Mantle lamp, a brighter type of pressurized kerosene lamp. This is a different, often more advanced, type of oil lamp.

Synonyms

• Hanging oil lamp: A lamp that is suspended, typically from a ceiling or beam.
• Three-wick kerosene lamp: A descriptive term focusing on the lamp's three-wick mechanism.

Related Cultural Context

• The "đèn ba dây" is more than a lighting tool; it is a cultural symbol representing a bygone era, rural life, and simplicity before widespread electrification. It is frequently mentioned in contexts recalling childhood, family, and traditional Vietnamese settings.