chậu thau

chậu thau

Bà tôi vẫn giữ chiếc chậu thau cũ để rửa mặt.

Definitions
  1. Noun:
    • A basin or bowl, typically made of brass or metal: "chậu thau" refers to a specific type of basin or bowl, traditionally crafted from brass or a similar metal alloy, used for washing or holding water.
    • A metal washbasin: It commonly denotes a basin made of brass, used for personal hygiene, laundry, or other domestic purposes involving water.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Bà tôi vẫn giữ chiếc chậu thau cũ để rửa mặt. (My grandmother still keeps the old brass basin for washing her face.)
    • Người bán hàng rao "Ai mua chậu thau, nồi đồng không?" (The street vendor calls out, "Who wants to buy brass basins, copper pots?")
    • Chiếc chậu thau đựng nước đặt ở góc sân. (The metal basin containing water is placed in the corner of the yard.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term "chậu thau" is somewhat traditional and evokes imagery of older, handmade household items. In modern contexts, it may be used to specify a basin's material (brass/metal) to distinguish it from plastic or ceramic alternatives.
  • It can be part of descriptive lists of traditional Vietnamese household goods or items sold by street vendors.
Variants and Related Words
  • Chậu (n): A general term for a basin, bowl, or pot (can be made of various materials like plastic, ceramic).
  • Thau (n): Brass; also used colloquially to refer to a metal basin. When used alone, "thau" can mean the same as "chậu thau".
  • Chậu đồng (n): A copper basin (a related, specific type of metal basin).
  • Chậu nhựa (n): A plastic basin.
  • Cái thau (n): Another common way to say "a metal/brass basin".
Synonyms
  • Cái chậu bằng đồng thau: A brass basin.
  • Bồn rửa (nhỏ): A (small) washbasin (more modern/general term).
  • Chậu rửa: Washbasin.
Related Phrases/Idioms
  • While "chậu thau" itself is not typically part of idioms, it appears in traditional folk songs or vendor calls, such as the example in the usage section.
  • The material "thau" (brass) can be used in similes, e.g., "vàng thau lẫn lộn" (to mix gold with brass - meaning to confuse the valuable with the worthless, or good people with bad).