hoa cười, ngọc thốt
Definition
- Four-character idiom:
- A smile like a flower, speech like jade: A classical literary idiom used to poetically describe a woman of exceptional beauty. It means her smile is as radiant and lovely as a blooming flower, and her spoken words are as precious and beautiful as jade.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Trong thơ ca cổ, người con gái đẹp thường được miêu tả với "hoa cười, ngọc thốt". (In classical poetry, a beautiful woman is often described with "a smile like a flower, speech like jade".)
- Vẻ đẹp của nàng ấy đúng là "hoa cười, ngọc thốt", khiến ai cũng mê đắm. (Her beauty is truly "a smile like a flower, speech like jade", enchanting everyone.)
Advanced Usage
- This idiom is primarily found in classical Vietnamese literature, poetry, and formal, highly stylized descriptions. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
Word Analysis
- Hoa (花): flower; symbolizes beauty, freshness, and delicacy.
- Cười: to smile; to laugh.
- Ngọc (玉): jade; a precious gemstone symbolizing purity, value, and elegance.
- Thốt (說): a classical Sino-Vietnamese word meaning "to utter" or "to speak".
Synonyms
- Lộng lẫy: gorgeous, resplendent.
- Kiều diễm: beautiful and graceful (often of a woman).
- Mỹ lệ: beautiful, lovely.
Related Idioms and Classical Phrases
- Mặt hoa da phấn: (Face like a flower, skin like powder) – Describing a woman with flawless, beautiful skin.
- Khuynh thành khuynh quốc: (Toppling cities and countries) – Describing a woman of devastating, nation-toppling beauty.