Definition

Noun * Good or ill (omen), auspiciousness or inauspiciousness: A classical compound noun referring to the dual concepts of good fortune/propitiousness ("cát") and bad fortune/inauspiciousness ("hung"), often used in the context of divination, fate, or omens. It denotes the abstract quality or prediction of whether something will bring favorable or unfavorable outcomes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thầy bói nói chuyện cát hung của gia đạo. (The fortune teller spoke about the good or ill omens for the family's fortunes.)
  • Việc này cát hung thế nào, không ai đoán trước được. (Whether this matter brings good or ill fortune, no one can predict.)
  • Ông ấy thường xem ngày để biết việc cát hung. (He often checks the calendar date to know its auspiciousness or inauspiciousness.)

Advanced Usage

• This is a classical, literary term and is rarely used in modern everyday conversation. It is most commonly found in contexts related to traditional beliefs, fortune-telling ("bói toán"), feng shui ("phong thủy"), or classical literature.
• The phrase "chưa biết cát hung" (not yet knowing if it is auspicious or inauspicious) is a set expression to indicate uncertainty about the outcome of an event.

Variants and Related Words

• Cát (adj/n): Auspicious, lucky, good fortune. Often used independently in compounds like "cát tường" (auspicious), "đại cát" (very auspicious).
• Hung (adj/n): Inauspicious, unlucky, ominous. Often used independently in compounds like "hung hiểm" (dangerous), "đại hung" (very inauspicious).
• Cát hung họa phúc (idiomatic phrase): A broader four-character idiom meaning "good fortune, ill fortune, disaster, and happiness" – essentially encompassing all facets of fate and vicissitudes of life.

Synonyms

• Lành dữ: Good or evil; a more common and general synonym for "good or bad," applicable to people, actions, or omens.
• Tốt xấu: Good or bad; a very common and neutral modern phrase.
• Họa phúc: Disaster and happiness; another classical pair referring to misfortune and good fortune.

Related Idioms

• Bói việc cát hung: To divine/fortunetell to see if something is auspicious or inauspicious.
• Chưa biết cát hung thế nào: (One) does not yet know whether it will turn out well or badly.

1. Good or ill (omen..)