châu lệ

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Tears: The word "châu lệ" is a classical, literary term referring to tears, especially those that are shed in sorrow or deep emotion. It is a compound of "châu" (pearl) and "lệ" (tear), poetically describing tears as precious as pearls.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Nàng khóc, châu lệ rơi đầm đìa. (She wept, her tears falling profusely.)
    • Những giọt châu lệ của người mẹ làm cảm động mọi người. (The mother's tears moved everyone.)
Advanced Usage
  • This term is almost exclusively used in classical poetry, literary prose, or formal, emotive speech to evoke a sense of beauty and poignancy in sadness. It is not used in everyday conversation.
    • Trong thơ ca cổ điển, nỗi buồn thường được diễn tả qua hình ảnh châu lệ. (In classical poetry, sorrow is often expressed through the image of tears.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Lệ (n): Tear. This is the more common, standalone word for "tear."
  • Nước mắt (n): Tear(s). This is the standard, everyday term for "tear(s)."
  • Giọt lệ (n): A drop of tear. A slightly more literary term than "nước mắt" but less classical than "châu lệ."
Synonyms
  • Nước mắt: Tears (standard, neutral synonym).
  • Giọt lệ: Teardrop (literary synonym).
  • Lệ (in classical context): Tear.
Related Idioms
  • Châu rơi lệ ngọc: A poetic idiom meaning "pearls fall, jade tears drop," used to describe beautiful weeping or profuse, precious tears.
    • Nghe tin buồn, nàng thương cảm, châu rơi lệ ngọc. (Hearing the sad news, she felt pity and shed precious tears.)