Definition

1. Noun:
   • Folk song, folk poetry: "Ca dao" refers to a form of traditional Vietnamese folk poetry or song, typically passed down orally through generations. It expresses the thoughts, emotions, and daily life of common people.
   • Six-eight meter distich: Specifically, "ca dao" often follows the distinctive Vietnamese poetic form known as "lục bát" (six-eight), characterized by alternating lines of six and eight syllables.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Kho tàng ca dao Việt Nam rất phong phú. (The treasure of Vietnamese folk songs is very rich.)
  • Bài ca dao này nói về tình yêu quê hương. (This folk poem talks about love for one's homeland.)
  • Bà ngoại thường hát cho tôi nghe những câu ca dao. (My grandmother often sings folk songs for me.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sưu tầm ca dao": to collect folk songs.

  • Ông ấy dành cả đời để sưu tầm ca dao. (He spent his whole life collecting folk songs.)

• "Ca dao, tục ngữ": a common phrase pairing folk songs ("ca dao") with proverbs ("tục ngữ"), representing two major genres of Vietnamese folk wisdom.

  • Trong văn học dân gian, ca dao, tục ngữ chiếm vị trí quan trọng. (In folk literature, folk songs and proverbs hold an important position.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dân ca (n): folk song (a broader term that can include regional folk music with melodies, while "ca dao" often emphasizes the lyrical/poetic text).

  • "Dân ca" và "ca dao" đều là di sản văn hóa quý báu. (Both "folk music" and "folk poetry" are precious cultural heritages.)

• Lục bát (n): The specific six-eight meter poetic form that is the most common structure for "ca dao".

  • Thể thơ lục bát rất phổ biến trong ca dao. (The six-eight meter is very common in folk poetry.)

Synonyms

• Bài hát dân gian: folk song.
• Thơ ca dân gian: folk poetry.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Mượn điển tích trong ca dao": to borrow allusions from folk poetry.

  • Nhà thơ thường mượn điển tích trong ca dao để sáng tác. (Poets often borrow allusions from folk poetry for their creations.)

• "Chất liệu ca dao": folk song material/style.

  • Bài thơ của ông ấy thấm đẫm chất liệu ca dao. (His poem is imbued with the style of folk poetry.)

noun

1. Folk-song
   • sưu tầm ca dao
     to collect folk-songs
2. Six-eight foot distich (on the same pattern as the folk-songs)