Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tree, plant: A living organism, typically with a stem, roots, and leaves, that grows in the ground. This is the most common meaning.
   • A long, slender object resembling a plant stem: An object with a long, thin shape, such as a pole, stick, or rod.
   • A unit of measurement (kilometer): A colloquial term for 'cây số', meaning kilometer.
   • A unit of weight (tael): A colloquial term for a tael, a unit of weight for gold.
   • A bundle or standard quantity: Refers to a standard bundle of certain goods, like fabric or cigarettes.

Usage Examples

• As a tree/plant:
  • Cây cổ thụ này đã sống hàng trăm năm. (This ancient tree has lived for hundreds of years.)
  • Cô ấy trồng nhiều cây cảnh trong vườn. (She grows many ornamental plants in her garden.)
• As a long object:
  • Anh ta dùng một cây gậy để đi bộ đường dài. (He uses a walking stick for hiking.)
  • Họ cần một cây cột chắc chắn để dựng lều. (They need a sturdy pole to set up the tent.)
• As a unit (kilometer):
  • Từ đây đến thị trấn còn khoảng mười cây. (It's about ten kilometers from here to the town.)
• As a unit (tael):
  • Chiếc nhẫn vàng nặng một cây. (The gold ring weighs one tael.)

Advanced Usage

• "cây nhà lá vườn": Literally "homegrown tree, garden leaf". It means something homemade, homegrown, or produced by oneself, often implying simplicity and authenticity.
  • Bữa cơm chỉ có mấy món cây nhà lá vườn. (The meal only had a few homegrown/home-cooked dishes.)
• "cây ngay không sợ chết đứng": Literally "an upright tree does not fear standing dead". An idiom meaning an honest person has nothing to fear.
  • Tôi nói sự thật, cây ngay không sợ chết đứng. (I told the truth; an honest person has nothing to fear.)
• "trồng cây chuối": Literally "to plant a banana tree". It means to do a handstand.
  • Đứa trẻ có thể trồng cây chuối rất lâu. (The child can do a handstand for a very long time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cây cối (n): A general term for vegetation, plants, and trees collectively.
  • Khu rừng này có nhiều loại cây cối. (This forest has many types of vegetation.)
• Cây số (n): Kilometer. The full form of the colloquial 'cây'.
  • Biển báo ghi 50 cây số một giờ. (The sign says 50 kilometers per hour.)
• Cây cảnh (n): Ornamental plant, bonsai.
  • Ông ấy có sở thích chơi cây cảnh. (He has a hobby of cultivating ornamental plants.)

Synonyms

• Cây xanh: Greenery, green plants (often used in environmental contexts).
• Thực vật: Plant (the scientific/botanical term).
• Gậy: Stick, rod (for the object meaning).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây": Literally "When eating the fruit, remember the planter". An idiom meaning to be grateful to those who created the benefits you enjoy.
  • Chúng ta phải biết ơn thầy cô, ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây mà. (We must be grateful to our teachers; remember the planter when eating the fruit.)
• "Cây muốn lặng mà gió chẳng đừng": Literally "The tree wants to be still but the wind won't stop". An idiom describing an unavoidable situation or conflict one is dragged into against their will.
• "Uốn cây từ thuở còn non": Literally "To bend the tree from when it is still young". Means to educate and shape a person from childhood.

noun

1. Tree, plant
   • cây thuốc
     a medicinal plant
   • cây ăn quả
     a fruit-tree
   • cây leo
     a climbing plant, a climber
   • cây tre
     the bamboo tree
   • cây nấm
     a mushroom
   • chuối chín cây
     bananas ripened on the tree
   • ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây
     when eating the fruit of a tree, remember who planted it