Definition

Noun: 1. Crane (bird): A large, tall wading bird with long legs, a long neck, and a long beak, often found in wetlands. In Vietnamese culture, it is a symbol of longevity and grace. 2. (Archaic/Musical) Harp: An old term for a type of stringed musical instrument (archaic usage).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Crane):
  • Trong tranh Đông Hồ, hình ảnh hạc thường đứng bên cây tùng, tượng trưng cho sự trường thọ. (In Đông Hồ folk paintings, the image of a crane often stands next to a pine tree, symbolizing longevity.)
  • Khu bảo tồn này là nơi trú ngụ của nhiều loài chim quý, trong đó có hạc. (This sanctuary is home to many precious bird species, including cranes.)
• Noun (Harp - archaic):
  • "Tiếng hạc nghe ra giọng lắng chầu..." (A line from classical poetry, where "hạc" refers to the harp's sound.)

Advanced Usage / Cultural Notes

• Biểu tượng của sự trường thọ (Symbol of Longevity): The crane (hạc) is one of the most important symbols in Vietnamese culture, representing a long, healthy, and noble life. It is often depicted in art, especially alongside the pine tree and turtle, as part of the "Tam Đa" (Three Abundances) motif symbolizing Phúc (Blessings), Lộc (Prosperity), and Thọ (Longevity).
• Cưỡi hạc (To ride a crane): A poetic and euphemistic phrase meaning "to pass away," used especially for an elderly or virtuous person. It implies a peaceful, transcendent departure to immortality, riding a crane to the heavens.
  • Cụ đã cưỡi hạc về trời ở tuổi 95. (The elder rode the crane to the heavens at the age of 95.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hạc tiên: Literally "fairy crane," another poetic name for the crane, emphasizing its elegance and mythical association.
• Sếu: Another common Vietnamese word for "crane," often used in modern biological or general contexts. (Hạc carries a stronger cultural and symbolic connotation.)
• Hạc thờ: A crane statue used for worship or as a decorative object on altars, often made of wood, bronze, or ceramic.

Synonyms

• Sếu (n): Crane (more common modern term for the bird).
• Chim cao cẳng (n): Long-legged bird (descriptive).

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• Gầy như hạc: As thin as a crane. A common simile to describe someone who is very skinny or gaunt.
  • Ốm dậy, anh ấy gầy như hạc. (After his illness, he is as thin as a crane.)
• Tuổi hạc: Crane's years. A respectful and literary way to refer to the advanced age of an elderly person.
  • Kính chúc cụ tuổi hạc càng dài, sức khỏe càng bền. (We respectfully wish you long crane's years and enduring health.)
• Hạc nội mây ngàn: Literally "cranes in the marshes, clouds over the mountains." A poetic idiom describing a serene, natural, and somewhat secluded landscape.

noun

1. crane (fi) longevity