Definition

Noun: - Heaven and earth; the universe; the cosmos: A classical Sino-Vietnamese philosophical and literary term representing the two fundamental, opposing, yet complementary forces of the universe. "Càn" (乾) symbolizes heaven, the male principle, the active, creative force. "Khôn" (坤) symbolizes earth, the female principle, the receptive, nurturing force. Together, they represent the totality of existence, the ordered world, and the natural order.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong quan niệm cổ, càn khôn tạo nên vạn vật. (In ancient belief, heaven and earth create all things.)
  • Câu thơ ấy đã chấn động cả càn khôn. (That line of poetry shook the entire universe.)
  • Giữa vòng càn khôn, con người thật nhỏ bé. (Within the cosmos, humans are truly small.)

Advanced Usage

• "càn khôn xoay chuyển" / "xoay chuyển càn khôn": To cause a great, earth-shattering change; to turn the world upside down.

  • Trận chiến ấy đủ sức xoay chuyển càn khôn. (That battle had the power to turn the world upside down.)

• "một mình biết càn khôn": To have a profound, all-encompassing understanding of the world's ways (often used sarcastically for someone who acts like they know everything).

  • Anh ta cứ tưởng mình một mình biết càn khôn. (He thinks he alone understands the ways of the universe.)

Variants and Related Words

• Càn (乾): As a standalone word in classical texts, can mean heaven, the sky, the male principle, or dryness.
• Khôn (坤): As a standalone word in classical texts, can mean earth, the land, the female principle, or docility.
• Vũ trụ (noun): The modern, scientific term for "universe" or "cosmos," without the philosophical duality of .
• Trời đất (noun): The common, everyday phrase for "heaven and earth" or "the world."

Synonyms

• Trời đất: Heaven and earth.
• Vũ trụ: Universe, cosmos.
• Tạo hóa: Creation, nature (as a creative force).
• Vạn vật: All things, creation.

Related Idioms

• "Càn khôn nhất trụ": Literally "one pillar upholding heaven and earth"; refers to a person of immense importance, a pivotal figure upon whom everything depends.

  • Ông ấy là càn khôn nhất trụ của công ty. (He is the pivotal pillar of the company.)

• "Càn khôn tịnh thị (乾 坤 並 是)**: A classical phrase meaning "both heaven and earth are present" or "encompassing the whole universe," indicating completeness or a grand scale.

noun

1. Heaven and earth; universe