Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cup of soy sauce: The literal meaning refers to a small cup or bowl containing soy sauce, a common condiment in Vietnamese cuisine.
   • A cup of dipping sauce: More broadly, it can refer to a small individual serving of any liquid condiment or dipping sauce, often placed beside one's bowl for personal use during a meal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mỗi người có một chén tương riêng. (Each person has their own cup of dipping sauce.)
  • Anh ấy chấm nem vào chén tương. (He dipped the spring roll into his cup of sauce.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the context of a communal or family meal where individual portions of sauce are provided. It emphasizes personal hygiene and convenience.

Variants and Related Words

• Chén nước mắm (n): a cup of fish sauce.

  • Cô ấy pha chén nước mắm chua ngọt. (She mixed a cup of sweet and sour fish sauce.)

• Bát tương (n): a bowl of sauce (typically larger and for sharing).

  • Bát tương để giữa bàn. (The bowl of sauce is placed in the middle of the table.)

Synonyms

• Dipping sauce cup: a small container for sauce.
• Condiment dish: a small dish for holding sauces or seasonings.

Notes on Usage

• "Chén tương" specifically highlights the container ("chén") and its contents. It is a concrete noun used in everyday dining contexts.
• Do not confuse with compound words like "tương ớt" (chili sauce) or "tương đen" (hoisin sauce), which refer to the sauce types themselves, not the serving vessel.