Definition

1. Noun:
   • Belt: A strip of flexible material, such as leather or fabric, worn around the waist to secure clothing, like trousers or a skirt, or as a fashion accessory.
   • Waistband: A band or cord that encircles the waist, often used to hold up garments like traditional áo dài or loose-fitting pants.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy mua một chiếc dây lưng da mới. (He bought a new leather belt.)
  • Cô ấy thắt dây lưng trên tà áo dài. (She tied the waistband on her áo dài.)
  • Dây lưng của anh ấy bị đứt. (His belt broke.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "dây lưng" can specifically refer to the traditional waist-cinching cord used with Vietnamese attire, distinguishing it from the more modern, buckle-fastened "thắt lưng" (belt), though they are often used interchangeably in casual speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Thắt lưng (n): This is a more common synonym for a belt, especially one with a buckle. It literally means "to tie the waist."
  • Anh ấy quên không đeo thắt lưng. (He forgot to wear his belt.)

Synonyms

• Belt: A strip of material worn around the waist.
• Waistband: A band encircling the waist.
• Girdle: An archaic or formal term for a belt or cord worn around the waist.

Related Idioms

• Thắt dây lưng: Literally "to tighten the belt," meaning to live more frugally or to prepare for hardship.
  • Trong thời kỳ khó khăn, mọi người phải thắt dây lưng. (During hard times, people have to tighten their belts.)

noun

1. belt; waistband