cây bài
Definition
- Noun:
- A playing card: A single, rectangular piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard, typically part of a standard deck, used for playing various games. Each card usually has a suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) and a rank (ace, king, queen, jack, numbers).
- A card (in a figurative sense): A resource, method, or hidden advantage held in reserve to be used at a strategic moment.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Anh ấy rút một cây bài từ bộ bài. (He drew a playing card from the deck.)
- Trong trò chơi, mỗi người nhận năm cây bài. (In the game, each person receives five playing cards.)
- Đó là cây bài cuối cùng của anh ta trong cuộc đàm phán. (That was his final card in the negotiation.)
Advanced Usage
- "lật cây bài": to reveal one's card; to disclose a secret plan or resource.
- Đến phút cuối, đối thủ mới lật cây bài chủ. (At the last minute, the opponent revealed their trump card.)
Variants and Related Words
Bộ bài (n): a deck or pack of playing cards.
- Cần một bộ bài mới để chơi. (A new deck of cards is needed to play.)
Con bài (n): a synonym for "cây bài," meaning a playing card. Often used interchangeably.
- Hãy giấu con bài của bạn. (Hide your playing card.)
Synonyms
- Playing card: The standard term for a card used in games.
- Card: A more general term that can refer to a playing card or other types of cards.
Related Idioms
"Cây bài ngửa": an open secret; a plan or fact that is already known to everyone.
- Kế hoạch đó giờ đã là cây bài ngửa. (That plan is now an open secret.)
"Giữ cây bài chủ": to hold a trump card; to keep one's best resource or argument secret for a crucial moment.
- Luật sư vẫn đang giữ cây bài chủ. (The lawyer is still holding a trump card.)