cất chén
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To raise one's glass (in a toast): The act of lifting one's cup or glass, typically containing an alcoholic beverage like wine or rice wine, as part of a formal or ceremonial toast during a meal or celebration. It is a gesture of respect, goodwill, or celebration.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Sau bài phát biểu, mọi người cùng cất chén chúc mừng. (After the speech, everyone raised their glasses in congratulations.)
- Ông chủ trì buổi tiệc mời khách cất chén. (The host of the banquet invited the guests to raise their glasses.)
Advanced Usage
- "Xin mời cất chén": A formal, polite phrase used by a host or speaker to invite others to join in a toast. It translates directly to "Please raise your glasses."
- Chủ tịch nói: "Xin mời quý vị cất chén chúc sức khỏe toàn thể cử tri." (The Chairman said, "Please raise your glasses to the health of all the voters.")
Variants and Related Words
- Nâng chén / Nâng ly (verb phrase): More common and modern synonyms for "cất chén," meaning "to raise a glass/cup." These are used interchangeably in contemporary Vietnamese.
- Mọi người nâng ly chúc mừng cô dâu chú rể. (Everyone raised their glasses to congratulate the bride and groom.)
Synonyms
- Chúc rượu (verb): To propose a toast, to drink a toast. This focuses more on the verbal act of toasting.
- Làm ly (verb, informal): To clink glasses (in a toast).
Notes on Usage
- Register: "Cất chén" is considered a formal, somewhat literary, and traditional term. In everyday modern speech, "nâng ly" or "nâng chén" are far more frequently used.
- Context: It is almost exclusively used in the context of formal dinners, banquets, weddings, or ceremonial occasions where toasting is customary. The "chén" typically refers to a small cup for rice wine or tea, but the phrase is understood to mean any drinking vessel used for a toast.