Nụ cười nghìn vàng
Definition
- Noun Phrase:
- A smile worth a thousand pieces of gold: A direct translation meaning an extremely precious, valuable, or rare smile.
- A priceless smile: A smile of such beauty or significance that it is considered beyond any material value.
- (Historical/Literary Reference): Specifically refers to the legendary, rare smile of Bao Tự (妲己), a concubine of King U of the Zhou Dynasty, whose smile was said to be so elusive and captivating it was worth a fortune.
Usage Examples
- Noun Phrase:
- Đối với tôi, nụ cười của mẹ là nụ cười nghìn vàng. (To me, my mother's smile is a priceless smile.)
- Câu chuyện anh kể cuối cùng cũng đổi được nụ cười nghìn vàng của cô ấy. (The story he told finally earned her rare, precious smile.)
- Truyền thuyết kể về nụ cười nghìn vàng của Bao Tự. (The legend tells of Bao Tự's "smile worth a thousand gold pieces.")
Advanced Usage
- Used as a metaphor or hyperbole to emphasize the immense emotional value of a person's smile, often implying it is seldom seen or brings immense joy.
- Can be used in both classical/literary contexts (referencing the historical anecdote) and modern, sentimental contexts (to describe a loved one's smile).
Variants and Related Words
- Nụ cười vô giá: A synonym meaning "a priceless/invaluable smile."
- Nụ cười hiếm hoi: Means "a rare smile," focusing on its infrequency rather than its value.
Synonyms
- Priceless smile: A smile of incalculable worth.
- Invaluable smile: A smile whose value is too great to be measured.
- Rare smile: A smile that is not often given or seen.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Một nụ cười bằng mười thang thuốc bổ: "A smile is worth ten tonics." A common Vietnamese idiom meaning a smile has great healing or restorative power, closely related in sentiment to "nụ cười nghìn vàng."
- Đắt như nụ cười Bao Tự: "As expensive/dear as Bao Tự's smile." A phrase used to describe something extremely costly or difficult to obtain.