Definition

Noun: 1. Embroidered brocade; something as beautiful as brocade: A metaphorical term describing something of exquisite beauty, comparable to fine, intricately embroidered silk fabric. It is often used in literary and poetic contexts. 2. Very beautiful landscape; picturesque scenery: Used to describe natural scenery of outstanding beauty. 3. Very beautiful literature; elegant writing: Used to describe exceptionally beautiful, refined, or elegant literary works or prose.

Usage Examples

• Describing a landscape:
  • Non sông cẩm tú. (A very beautiful homeland / A picturesque country.)
  • Phong cảnh nơi đây thật là cẩm tú. (The scenery here is truly picturesque / as beautiful as brocade.)
• Describing literature/writing:
  • Những áng văn cẩm tú. (Elegant literary works.)
  • Lời văn cẩm tú. (Exquisitely beautiful prose.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in formal, literary, or poetic contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday spoken language.
• It often carries a sense of classical, traditional, or refined beauty.

Variants and Related Words

• Gấm thêu / Gấm vóc: Literally "embroidered brocade/silk." These are the literal counterparts to the metaphorical cẩm tú. They can also be used metaphorically in similar ways.
• Cẩm tú cầu: This is a compound word for the flower "hydrangea." It is a separate lexical item and not a direct variant of cẩm tú in meaning.

Synonyms

• Tuyệt đẹp: Extremely beautiful.
• Mỹ lệ: Beautiful, gorgeous (formal/literary).
• Tráng lệ: Magnificent, splendid.
• Thi vị: Poetic, picturesque.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Non sông cẩm tú: A set phrase meaning "one's beautiful homeland" or "picturesque country." This is the most common and classic collocation for this word.
• Văn chương cẩm tú: A phrase meaning "elegant/exquisite literature."

noun

1. Embroidered brocade; very beautiful landscape; very beautiful literature
   • non sông cẩm tú
     one's very beautiful homeland