Definition

Noun: 1. Songstress; female singer: A woman whose profession is singing, especially in traditional or classical Vietnamese music. 2. Female opera singer: A woman who performs as a singer in traditional Vietnamese opera or theatrical musical performances.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong tuồng cổ, vai diễn của ca kỹ thường rất quan trọng. (In classical opera, the role of the songstress is often very important.)
  • Bà là một ca kỹ nổi tiếng của làng ca trù. (She was a famous female singer of ca trù singing.)
  • Các ca kỹ thời xưa thường được đào tạo rất bài bản. (Female opera singers in the old days were usually trained very rigorously.)

Advanced Usage

• The term ca kỹ is a historical and somewhat archaic term. It specifically refers to female singers in traditional Vietnamese performing arts contexts, such as (classical drama), (popular opera), or (ceremonial singing). It carries a more specific cultural connotation than the modern, general word for singer, .

Variants and Related Words

• Ca kĩ: An alternate, less common spelling with the same meaning.
• Ca sĩ (noun): Singer. This is the modern, general term for any singer (male or female) and does not carry the specific traditional/classical connotation of .
• Đào nương (noun): A term used in and opera for a young female lead singer/actress; a synonym in specific theatrical contexts.

Synonyms

• Nữ ca sĩ: Female singer (modern term).
• Danh ca: Renowned singer (can be male or female, but often used for females in traditional music).

Notes on Meaning

• The term ca kỹ is deeply rooted in Vietnam's traditional performing arts history. While it can be translated as "songstress," it implies a performer within a specific artistic and often formal or ceremonial tradition, unlike a contemporary pop singer.
• In some historical contexts, the social status of a could be complex, associated with both artistic skill and certain social stigmas.

noun

1. songstress ; female opera singer