cổ kính
Definition
- Adjective:
- Ancient and dignified / venerable with age: Describes something very old, often a building, object, or tradition, that possesses a solemn, dignified beauty or aura due to its historical age and classic style. It implies a sense of timelessness and revered antiquity.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Phố cổ Hội An có những ngôi nhà rất cổ kính. (Hoi An Ancient Town has very ancient and dignified houses.)
- Ngôi chùa này trông thật cổ kính. (This pagoda looks truly venerable with age.)
- Họ sống trong một lâu đài cổ kính. (They live in an ancient and stately castle.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to describe architectural works (temples, pagodas, houses, streets), cultural artifacts, or landscapes that evoke a deep sense of history and traditional aesthetic value.
- Vẻ cổ kính của kinh thành Huế thu hút nhiều du khách. (The ancient majesty of the Hue Citadel attracts many tourists.)
Variants and Related Words
Cổ (adj): old, ancient. A simpler, more general term for age.
- thành phố cổ (ancient city)
Kính (adj, in this compound): venerable, respectful. Implies reverence and dignity.
Synonyms
- Ancient: belonging to the very distant past.
- Venerable: accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
- Antique: belonging to ancient times, or having a high value because of age and quality.
- Time-honored: respected or valued because it has existed for a long time.
Related Concepts
- While the reference from an older dictionary lists "vieux miroir" (old mirror), this is an archaic or highly specific literal breakdown ("cổ" = old, "kính" = mirror). In modern Vietnamese, "cổ kính" is almost exclusively used as the compound adjective meaning "ancient and dignified," not to mean an old mirror. An old mirror would be or