Tầm thuỷ

Definition
  1. Proper Noun:
    • Tam Thuy: An ancient and poetic name for a specific river, the Tam Duong River, located in Jiangxi Province, China. The term is primarily encountered in classical Vietnamese literature, especially poetry, referencing historical Chinese geography.
Usage Examples
  • Proper Noun:
    • "Tầm Dương giang đầu dạ tống khách" is a famous line in Vietnamese poetic translation, evoking the image of the Tam Thuy riverbank.
    • Nhạc sĩ gảy đàn trên bến Tầm Thuỷ. (The musician played the lute on the Tam Thuy wharf.)
Advanced Usage
  • The name "Tầm Thuỷ" is deeply embedded in literary and cultural allusions. It is famously associated with the poem "Pipa Xing" (Song of the Lute) by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi (Bạch Cư Dị in Vietnamese), which begins with a scene set at night on the Tam Thuy River. Therefore, using "Tầm Thuỷ" immediately evokes a classical, melancholic, and artistic atmosphere.
Variants and Related Words
  • Sông Tầm Dương: The more direct Vietnamese name for the same river (Tam Duong River).
  • Bến Tầm Thuỷ: (Tam Thuy wharf) A common poetic phrase referring to the river's landing place in literary contexts.
Synonyms
  • Tam Duong River: The modern geographical name.
  • Xunyang River: An alternative historical name in Chinese.
Related Idioms
  • While not a standalone idiom, the phrase "đêm đưa tiễn ở Tầm Thuỷ" (the farewell night at Tam Thuy) or simply mentioning "Tầm Thuỷ" is a literary allusion to Bai Juyi's poem, symbolizing a poignant farewell, the sadness of parting, or the encounter with a poignant melody (like the lute song in the poem).