Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mythical fox spirit: "hồ tinh" refers to a supernatural being from folklore, specifically a fox that has cultivated itself over a long period to gain magical powers, intelligence, and often the ability to transform into a human form.
   • Fox demon/fox spirit: It is a creature of myth and legend, commonly featured in East Asian, particularly Vietnamese, fairy tales and fantasy stories.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong truyện cổ tích, hồ tinh thường biến thành người đẹp để quyến rũ đàn ông. (In fairy tales, the fox spirit often transforms into a beautiful woman to seduce men.)
  • Người dân làng tin rằng trong khu rừng đó có một con hồ tinh sống. (The villagers believe a fox spirit lives in that forest.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Context: The concept of "hồ tinh" is deeply rooted in animistic and folk beliefs. It is not merely a monster but often a complex symbol representing cunning, longevity, supernatural power, and sometimes a test for human virtue.
• "Hồ tinh" vs. "Hồ ly": While "hồ ly" is the general term for a fox, "hồ tinh" specifically denotes a fox that has become a spirit or demon through cultivation, often over hundreds of years.

Variants and Related Words

• Hồ ly tinh (n): This is a fuller, more formal term with the same meaning as "hồ tinh."
• Yêu hồ (n): Another term for a fox demon/spirit.
• Cáo chín đuôi (n): "Nine-tailed fox," a specific and powerful type of fox spirit found in myths across East Asia.

Synonyms

• Fox demon: Con yêu cáo.
• Fox spirit: Linh hồ cáo.
• Kitsune (n): The Japanese term for a fox spirit, often used in global contexts due to the popularity of Japanese culture.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Tinh ranh như hồ ly": As cunning as a fox. This idiom uses "hồ ly" (fox) but relates to the clever and deceptive nature often attributed to the "hồ tinh."
  • Tên trộm đó tinh ranh như hồ ly. (That thief is as cunning as a fox.)

1. Mythical fox turned human