Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Ancient and dignified / venerable with age: Describes something very old, often a building, object, or tradition, that possesses a solemn, dignified beauty or aura due to its historical age and classic style. It implies a sense of timelessness and revered antiquity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Phố cổ Hội An có những ngôi nhà rất cổ kính. (Hoi An Ancient Town has very ancient and dignified houses.)
  • Ngôi chùa này trông thật cổ kính. (This pagoda looks truly venerable with age.)
  • Họ sống trong một lâu đài cổ kính. (They live in an ancient and stately castle.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to describe architectural works (temples, pagodas, houses, streets), cultural artifacts, or landscapes that evoke a deep sense of history and traditional aesthetic value.
  • Vẻ cổ kính của kinh thành Huế thu hút nhiều du khách. (The ancient majesty of the Hue Citadel attracts many tourists.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cổ (adj): old, ancient. A simpler, more general term for age.

  • thành phố cổ (ancient city)

• Kính (adj, in this compound): venerable, respectful. Implies reverence and dignity.

Synonyms

• Ancient: belonging to the very distant past.
• Venerable: accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
• Antique: belonging to ancient times, or having a high value because of age and quality.
• Time-honored: respected or valued because it has existed for a long time.

Related Concepts

• While the reference from an older dictionary lists "vieux miroir" (old mirror), this is an archaic or highly specific literal breakdown ("cổ" = old, "kính" = mirror). In modern Vietnamese, "cổ kính" is almost exclusively used as the compound adjective meaning "ancient and dignified," not to mean an old mirror. An old mirror would be or