Thủy Hử

Definition

  1. Proper Noun:

    • Water Margin: The title of one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It is a historical epic that chronicles the adventures and rebellions of 108 outlaws during the Song Dynasty.
    • The Story of the Marshes: A common alternative translation referring to the marshlands where the protagonists gather.

  2. Noun (by extension):

    • The collective story or universe of the 108 heroes: Used to refer to the narrative, its characters, or its cultural legacy as a whole.
Usage Examples

  • Proper Noun:

    • "Thủy Hử" là một trong tứ đại danh tác của Trung Quốc. ("Water Margin" is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China.)
    • Anh ấy rất thích đọc truyện "Thủy Hử". (He really enjoys reading the story "Water Margin.")

  • Noun:

    • Nhân vật trong "Thủy Hử" đều có tính cách rất rõ nét. (The characters in "Water Margin" all have very distinct personalities.)
Advanced Usage
  • The title is often used in academic or cultural discussions to symbolize themes of righteous rebellion, brotherhood, and social justice.
    • Tinh thần "Thủy Hử" phản ánh sự phản kháng của người dân thường. (The spirit of "Water Margin" reflects the resistance of the common people.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Thủy Hử truyện (n): An alternate, fuller name for the same work, emphasizing it is a "story" or "tale."
  • 108 anh hùng Lương Sơn Bạc (n): "The 108 heroes of Liangshan Marsh," a direct reference to the main characters of the story.
Synonyms
  • The Outlaws of the Marsh: Another standard English translation of the title.
  • All Men Are Brothers: A translation of the title that emphasizes the theme of brotherhood within the novel.
Related Cultural References
  • Lương Sơn Bạc: Liangshan Marsh, the fortified refuge where the heroes gather.
  • Tống Giang: Song Jiang, the primary leader and protagonist of the story.
  • Tứ đại danh tác: The Four Great Classical Novels, which include "Thủy Hử," "Tam Quốc Diễn Nghĩa," "Tây Du Ký," and "Hồng Lâu Mộng."