Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pot for slaked lime: A small container, traditionally made of ceramic, used to hold slaked lime (vôi tôi) for chewing with betel leaves and areca nuts in the traditional betel quid.
   • A cultural artifact: Represents a traditional item associated with betel chewing customs, often found in older Vietnamese households.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bà tôi vẫn giữ chiếc bình vôi cũ của cụ. (My grandmother still keeps the old slaked lime pot.)
  • Bình vôi thường được làm bằng sứ. (A slaked lime pot is usually made of porcelain.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural significance: The is more than just a container; it is part of the traditional betel-chewing kit (trầu cau), which holds deep social and ritual meaning in Vietnamese culture.
• As a symbol: In literature and folk tales, a can symbolize tradition, old customs, or a bygone era.

Variants and Related Words

• Vôi tôi (n): Slaked lime, the substance kept in the .
• Trầu cau (n): Betel and areca; refers to the entire custom of betel chewing, for which the is an essential item.
• Ống vôi (n): Lime tube; another, less common container for slaked lime, often made of bamboo or metal.

Synonyms

• Lọ vôi (n): Lime jar. (A very close synonym, though is the more standard and common term.)
• Hũ vôi (n): Lime pot/jar. (Similar in meaning, may imply a slightly different shape or size.)

Related Phrases

• Bộ trầu cau (n): Betel quid set. This set typically includes a tray (khay trầu) holding betel leaves, areca nuts, a knife, and the .
  • Bộ trầu cau đầy đủ không thể thiếu bình vôi. (A complete betel quid set cannot lack a slaked lime pot.)

Related Idioms

• While there are no direct idioms using alone, it is intrinsically linked to the proverb "Miếng trầu là đầu câu chuyện" (The betel quid is the start of conversation), as the is a key component in preparing the "miếng trầu".

1. Pot of slaked lime