Definition

Noun: - The first month of the lunar year: "Giêng" specifically refers to the first month in the Vietnamese lunisolar calendar (Âm lịch). It is almost exclusively used in the compound term "tháng Giêng".

Usage

"Giêng" is a bound morpheme and is not used independently in modern Vietnamese. You must use it in the fixed phrase "tháng Giêng". - "Tháng Giêng" means the first lunar month, which typically coincides with late January and/or February in the Gregorian calendar. It is a culturally significant time, encompassing the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Examples

• (Lunar New Year usually takes place in the first month of the lunar calendar.)
• (The first lunar month is the month of festivals.)
• ("The first day of the first lunar month" is New Year's Day.)

Advanced Usage / Notes

• "Ra giêng": This is a fixed phrase meaning "after the first lunar month has passed," indicating a time in early spring after the Tết celebrations are over.
  • Công việc sẽ bắt đầu lại ra giêng. (Work will start again after the first lunar month.)
• Distinction from "tháng Một": "Tháng Một" refers to January, the first month of the Gregorian solar calendar. "Tháng Giêng" refers to the first lunar month. They are different calendrical systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Tháng Giêng (n): The standard and only common compound form.
• Tháng Một (n): January (Gregorian calendar). Not a synonym for "tháng Giêng".
• Tháng Chạp (n): The twelfth and final month of the lunar year, preceding "tháng Giêng".

Synonyms

• Tháng Một (Âm lịch): (The first month [of the Lunar calendar]) – This is a descriptive synonym but "tháng Giêng" is the native, traditional term.

Related Idioms / Phrases

• "Tháng Giêng là tháng ăn chơi": (The first lunar month is for feasting and enjoyment.) A traditional saying reflecting the festive atmosphere of the Tết period, when people rest, visit family, and celebrate.
• "Ăn Tết cả tháng Giêng": (To celebrate New Year for the whole first month.) Describes prolonging the festive spirit throughout the lunar month.

noun

1. the first month of the lunar year
   • tháng giêng
     January