Definition

Noun: - High mountain: A term used in classical or literary Vietnamese to refer to a tall, lofty mountain. It often carries a poetic or elevated connotation, suggesting majesty, grandeur, or an enduring natural feature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong thơ cổ, hình ảnh cao sơn thường tượng trưng cho sự vĩnh cửu. (In ancient poetry, the image of a high mountain often symbolizes eternity.)
  • Phong cảnh nơi đây đúng là cao sơn lưu thủy. (The scenery here is truly high mountains and flowing streams—a picturesque landscape.)

Advanced Usage

• "cao sơn lưu thủy": A classical four-character idiom meaning "high mountains and flowing waters." It is used to describe a beautifully scenic, picturesque landscape. It can also metaphorically describe a profound, resonant friendship or a sublime piece of music.
  • Tình bạn của họ sâu sắc tựa cao sơn lưu thủy. (Their friendship is as profound as high mountains and flowing waters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Núi cao: (Modern Vietnamese) High mountain. This is the common, contemporary term.
  • Chúng tôi leo lên một ngọn núi cao. (We climbed a high mountain.)
• Sơn: (Literary, Sino-Vietnamese) Mountain. This root appears in many compound words.
• Sơn thủy: (Literary) Landscape; literally "mountains and waters."

Synonyms

• Núi đồi: Hills and mountains (a more general term).
• Đỉnh núi: Mountain peak (specifies the summit).

Related Idioms

• "cao sơn cảnh hành": (Literary) "High mountains and steep roads." This idiom describes a difficult or challenging journey or undertaking.
  • Sự nghiệp nào cũng phải trải qua cao sơn cảnh hành. (Any career must go through high mountains and steep roads—must face difficulties.)

1. (cũ) High mountain