gạo cội
Definition
- Noun:
- High-quality, unbroken rice: Refers to rice that has been milled and cleaned well, with the grains remaining whole and not broken. This is the primary, literal meaning.
- An elite member; a pillar; a veteran: A figurative meaning describing an outstanding, experienced, and highly respected person in a particular field or organization. This person is considered a core, indispensable element.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Literal):
- Cửa hàng này chuyên bán gạo cội. (This shop specializes in selling high-quality, unbroken rice.)
- Noun (Figurative):
- Giáo sư ấy là một gạo cội của ngành vật lý. (That professor is a pillar of the physics field.)
- Anh ấy là gạo cội trong đội bóng. (He is a veteran on the football team.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used with great respect to acknowledge someone's long-standing contributions and superior status.
- It can be used in various contexts: gạo cội làng bóng đá (a veteran of the football community), gạo cội trong nghề (a pillar of the trade).
Variants and Related Words
- Lão làng (n): A seasoned veteran; someone highly experienced in a profession or craft.
- Ông ấy là tay chơi guitar lão làng. (He is a seasoned guitar player.)
Synonyms
- Pillar: A person who is a chief supporter of an organization or system.
- Veteran: A person who has had long experience in a particular field.
- Luminary: A person who inspires or influences others, especially in a particular sphere.
Related Idioms
- Cây đa cây đề: (Lit: banyan tree, sacred tree) A very similar idiom meaning a venerable, highly respected senior figure.
- Cụ là cây đa cây đề của làng văn. (The elder is a venerable figure in the literary village.)