Definition

1. Noun:
   • Threshold (of a door): A raised strip, often made of stone, wood, or concrete, forming the bottom part of a doorway. One steps over it when entering or leaving a building or room.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hãy cẩn thận khi bước qua bậc cửa. (Be careful when stepping over the threshold.)
  • Bậc cửa bằng đá này đã rất cũ. (This stone threshold is very old.)
  • Đứa trẻ ngồi chơi trên bậc cửa. (The child sat playing on the doorstep.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "bậc cửa" can sometimes be used metaphorically to signify the point of entering or beginning something new, similar to the English use of "threshold."
  • Cô ấy đứng trước bậc cửa của một cuộc sống mới. (She stood on the threshold of a new life.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngưỡng cửa (n): Another term for "threshold," often used interchangeably with "bậc cửa." It can carry a stronger metaphorical meaning.

  • Ngưỡng cửa đại học (The threshold of university life).

• Bậc thềm (n): A step or stoop leading to an entrance, which may include the "bậc cửa."

  • Họ ngồi trò chuyện trên bậc thềm. (They sat chatting on the front steps.)

Synonyms

• Threshold: The strip at the base of a doorway.
• Doorstep: A step leading up to an outer door.
• Sill: The lower part of a doorway or window frame (though more technical).

Related Idioms

• Bước qua bậc cửa: To cross the threshold. This can be used literally or to mean entering a new phase.
  • Khi bước qua bậc cửa nhà chồng, cô ấy cảm thấy rất hồi hộp. (When she crossed the threshold into her husband's house, she felt very nervous.)

1. Threshold (of a door)