Definition

1. Noun:
   • Parallel sentences: A literary form consisting of two corresponding clauses or verses that match in meaning, wording, and structure. It is a traditional art form in Vietnamese culture, often used for decoration, celebration, and scholarly exchange.
   • A pair of panels: Refers to the physical objects (typically made of wood, silk, or paper) on which these parallel sentences are inscribed, painted, or written. They are often used as decorative items, especially during Tết (Lunar New Year).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông cụ rất thích sưu tầm những đôi câu đối cổ. (The old man really enjoys collecting ancient pairs of parallel sentence panels.)
  • Ngày Tết, nhiều gia đình treo câu đối đỏ ở hai bên cửa chính. (During Tet, many families hang red parallel sentence panels on both sides of the main door.)
  • Thầy giáo ra một câu đối và yêu cầu học trò đối lại. (The teacher gave a parallel sentence and asked the student to compose the matching counterpart.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm câu đối" / "viết câu đối": To compose or write parallel sentences. This refers to the creative act of crafting the sentences themselves.
  • Cụ đồ già trong làng nổi tiếng về tài làm câu đối. (The village's elderly scholar is famous for his skill in composing parallel sentences.)
• "câu đối Tết": Parallel sentences specifically for Tet. These contain auspicious wishes for the new year.
  • Chợ hoa ngập tràn những câu đối Tết viết bằng mực đen trên giấy hồng điều. (The flower market is full of Tet parallel sentences written in black ink on red paper.)

Variants and Related Words

• Câu đối liễn: A more formal or specific term for a pair of parallel sentence scrolls or panels, often used interchangeably with "câu đối".
• Đối: (Verb) To match, to pair, or to respond with a corresponding sentence. (Noun) The act of creating a matching counterpart in this literary form.
  • Anh ấy đối lại rất hay. (He composed a very clever matching sentence.)

Synonyms

• Vế đối: One clause or "wing" of a parallel sentence pair.
• Liễn: Scroll or panel (often referring to the physical object bearing the calligraphy).

Related Phrases

• Treo câu đối: To hang up parallel sentence panels.
  • Mùng một Tết, nhà nào cũng treo câu đối mới. (On the first day of Tet, every household hangs up new parallel sentence panels.)
• Xin câu đối: To request (from a scholar or calligrapher) a pair of parallel sentences.
  • Nhiều người đến nhà ông ấy để xin câu đối đầu năm. (Many people come to his house at the beginning of the year to request parallel sentences.)

Related Idioms

• "Câu đối hay, chữ tốt": (A good parallel sentence pair, excellent calligraphy.) An idiom praising both the literary content and the artistic execution of the calligraphy on the panels.
• "Ra câu đối khó": To pose a difficult parallel sentence challenge, often to test someone's wit or knowledge.
  • Ông ấy thích ra câu đối khó để thử tài con cháu. (He likes to pose difficult parallel sentence challenges to test his descendants' talent.)

1. Parallel sentences
   • làm câu đối Tết
     to compose parallel sentences for Tet
   • ra câu đối
     to compose the first sentence (for another to write the second)
2. Pair of wood panels (on which are inscribed parallel sentences)
   • câu đối sơn son thếp vàng
     a pair of vermillion lacquered and gilded wood panels