Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sail: The piece of fabric attached to a mast on a boat or ship, designed to catch the wind and propel the vessel forward. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • Poetic/Figurative: Can be used poetically to refer to something that resembles a sail in shape or function, such as a wing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Những cánh buồm trắng no gió trên biển. (The white sails are full of wind on the sea.)
  • Con thuyền căng cánh buồm ra khơi. (The boat set sail with its sail taut.)
  • Trong thơ, đôi cánh chim được ví như những cánh buồm. (In poetry, a bird's wings are compared to sails.)

Advanced Usage

• "cánh buồm" in idiomatic expressions: While not a standalone idiom, the word is central to many poetic and descriptive phrases about travel, adventure, and the sea.
  • cánh buồm thơ mộng (romantic/poetic sail)
  • cánh buồm căng gió (a wind-filled sail)

Variants and Related Words

• Buồm (n): Sail. This is the core word; "cánh buồm" is a more descriptive, often poetic form.
• Thuyền buồm (n): Sailboat.
• Cột buồm (n): Mast.
• Cánh (n): Wing, blade, petal. This component adds the imagery of a wing-like shape or part.

Synonyms

• Buồm (n): Sail (the more common, less poetic term).

Related Phrases

• Giương buồm / Căng buồm: To set sail, to hoist the sails.
  • Thủy thủ giương buồm ra khơi. (The sailors set sail for the open sea.)

Related Idioms

• Thuận buồm xuôi gió: Literally "favorable sail, tailwind," meaning everything goes smoothly and successfully.
  • Chúc bạn chuyến đi thuận buồm xuôi gió. (I wish you a smooth and successful journey.)

1. Sail