Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tear (poetic/literary): "giọt ngọc" literally means "pearl drop" and is used poetically to refer to a tear, especially one that is precious, pure, or beautiful, often shed in moments of deep emotion.
   • A precious drop (literal): In a very literal sense, it can describe a drop of a precious liquid, like a dewdrop or a drop of nectar, likened to a pearl.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cô ấy lặng lẽ lau đi giọt ngọc trên má. (She quietly wiped away the precious tear on her cheek.)
  • Những giọt ngọc long lanh đọng trên cánh hoa. (The sparkling dewdrops [lit. pearl drops] gathered on the flower petals.)

Advanced Usage

• "giọt ngọc lăn trên má": a tear rolling down a cheek (emphasizing its beauty or the sadness it conveys).
  • Trong đám cưới, giọt ngọc hạnh phúc lăn trên má cô dâu. (At the wedding, a tear of happiness rolled down the bride's cheek.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giọt lệ (n): A more common and direct word for "tear".
  • Giọt lệ của cô ấy làm tan chảy trái tim anh. (Her tear melted his heart.)
• Ngọc (n): Jade, gem, pearl; used to denote something precious and beautiful.

Synonyms

• Nước mắt (n): Tear(s). This is the standard, neutral term.
• Giọt sương (n): Dewdrop. Used for drops of dew, sometimes poetically.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Quý như giọt ngọc": As precious as a pearl drop. Used to describe something extremely valuable.
  • Tình bạn thời thơ ấu của họ quý như giọt ngọc. (Their childhood friendship is as precious as a pearl drop.)
• "Giọt ngọc mưa xuân": Spring rain pearl drops. A poetic phrase describing spring rain.
  • Khu vườn tươi mới sau cơn mưa với những giọt ngọc mưa xuân. (The garden was fresh after the rain with its spring rain pearl drops.)