Cảo thơm
Definition
- Noun:
- A fragrant manuscript; a literary work of great value and beauty: This term refers to an excellent, precious, or beautifully written book or manuscript. It carries a classical and poetic connotation, implying the work is not only intellectually valuable but also possesses an artistic or moral fragrance.
- A draft or manuscript (archaic): In its original Sino-Vietnamese components, "cảo" (稿) can mean a draft or manuscript, and "thơm" (香) means fragrant. The compound thus poetically denotes a "fragrant draft."
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy trân trọng giữ gìn những cảo thơm của cụ thân sinh. (He carefully preserves the fragrant manuscripts of his father.)
- Những cảo thơm ấy đã truyền cảm hứng cho bao thế hệ. (Those precious literary works have inspired many generations.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in classical or highly literary contexts to express deep respect for revered texts, often those written by ancestors, scholars, or great poets. It is not used for ordinary books.
Variants and Related Words
Bản thảo (n): A manuscript or draft (neutral, modern term).
- Tác giả đang chỉnh sửa bản thảo cuối cùng. (The author is editing the final manuscript.)
Tác phẩm kinh điển (n): A classic work.
- "Truyện Kiều" là một tác phẩm kinh điển của Việt Nam. ("The Tale of Kieu" is a classic work of Vietnam.)
Synonyms
- Literary treasure: A work of great literary value.
- Precious volume: A valuable book.
- Masterpiece: A work of outstanding artistry.
Related Idioms
- Cảo thơm lần giở trước đèn: (To) peruse the fragrant manuscript by lamplight. This is a famous poetic phrase describing the act of thoughtfully reading a cherished book.
- Cảo thơm lần giở trước đèn, Phong tình cổ lục còn truyền sử xanh. (A line from Nguyen Du's "The Tale of Kieu," meaning: Perusing the fragrant manuscript by the lamp, The old tales of romance are still told in the green history.)