châu ngọc

châu ngọc

Kho báu chứa đầy châu ngọc.

Definitions
  1. Noun:
    • Pearls and jewels; precious gems: Refers to pearls and gemstones collectively, often used to describe valuable, beautiful objects.
    • (Literary, archaic) Fine words; beautiful speech: Used metaphorically to describe eloquent, valuable, or beautifully crafted language.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (literal meaning):

    • Kho báu chứa đầy châu ngọc. (The treasure trove is full of pearls and jewels.)
    • Cô ấy được tặng một hộp đựng châu ngọc. (She was gifted a box containing precious gems.)

  • Noun (metaphorical meaning):

    • Những lời anh ấy nói tựa như châu ngọc. (His words were like fine pearls [i.e., very valuable/beautiful].)
    • Bài thơ ấy là những châu ngọc của ngôn từ. (That poem contains jewels of language.)
Advanced Usage
  • "châu ngọc của trời đất": the jewels of heaven and earth (a poetic way to describe something extremely precious or beautiful created by nature).
    • Vịnh Hạ Long được coi là châu ngọc của trời đất. (Ha Long Bay is considered a jewel of heaven and earth.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Châu báu (n): treasure, valuables (a more general term for treasures, often including jewels and gold).
  • Ngọc châu (n): pearl (a compound reversing the order, specifically meaning "pearl").
  • Trân châu (n): pearl (another term for pearl, often used in culinary contexts like "trân châu trà sữa" - bubble tea pearls).
Synonyms
  • Trang sức: jewelry (refers more to adornments).
  • Bảo vật: treasure, valuable object (emphasizes high value, can be non-jewelry).
  • Kim cương, ngọc trai: diamond, pearl (specific types of gems).
Related Idioms

  • "Châu về Hợp Phố": Literally "the pearl returns to Hợp Phố"; figuratively means a valuable thing returns to its rightful owner or place. (Hợp Phố was a famous place for pearls in ancient tales).

    • Bức tranh quý cuối cùng cũng châu về Hợp Phố, trở lại với bảo tàng. (The valuable painting finally returned to its rightful place, back to the museum.)

  • "Ném châu ngọc trước heo" / "Đem châu ngọc vứt trước heo": To cast pearls before swine (to offer something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate it).

    • Giảng bài cho anh ta chẳng khác nào ném châu ngọc trước heo. (Lecturing him is like casting pearls before swine.)