bính

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The Vietnamese word "bính" has a couple of meanings and uses that are important for learners to understand.

Basic Definition

1. Noun: In the context of traditional Vietnamese culture, "bính" refers to the third heavenly stem. The heavenly stems are part of the Vietnamese traditional calendar system and are used in conjunction with earthly branches to designate years, months, days, and even hours.

Usage Instructions

• When using "bính" in a sentence, it is often in a cultural or historical context, particularly when discussing astrology or the traditional calendar.
• Example: "Năm Bính Tuất" means "the Year of the Dog in the Bính cycle," referring to a specific year in the Vietnamese zodiac.

Advanced Usage

1. Adjective: "Bính" can also describe clothing and shoes. In this context, it means "borrowed" or "to sport something that is not originally yours." This usage often reflects a sense of elegance or showing off.

Example

• "Áo bính" translates to "borrowed dress," indicating that the dress is not owned by the wearer but is being showcased.
• "Súng sính mặc bính của người" translates to "to sport borrowed plumes," which means dressing in a way that might show off stylish or extravagant items that belong to someone else.

Variants

• There are no direct variants of "bính" in terms of different forms, but it can be used in various phrases to convey its meanings.

Different Meanings

• As mentioned, "bính" can refer to both a traditional calendar term and an adjective describing borrowed items, particularly in fashion.

Synonyms

• For the noun meaning (heavenly stem), there are no direct synonyms, but terms like "cành" (branch) may come up in related contexts.
• For the adjective meaning (borrowed), synonyms could include "mượn" (to borrow) or phrases that convey the idea of wearing something that isn’t yours.

Academic

noun

1. The third Heaven's Stem

adj

1. (nói về quần áo, giày dép)+Borrowed
   • áo bính
     a borrowed dress
   • súng sính mặc bính của người
     to sport borrowed plumes