hương bài
Definition
- Noun:
- Vetiver: A type of fragrant perennial grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), native to India, whose roots are used to produce a long-lasting, earthy, and woody essential oil in perfumery and aromatherapy.
- Vetiver root: The dried, aromatic roots of this plant, often woven into mats, fans, or placed in cabinets to impart a pleasant scent and repel insects.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Rễ hương bài được chưng cất để làm tinh dầu. (Vetiver roots are distilled to make essential oil.)
- Bà tôi thường để một bó hương bài trong tủ quần áo. (My grandmother often puts a bundle of vetiver root in the wardrobe.)
- Mùi hương bài rất được ưa chuộng trong ngành công nghiệp nước hoa. (The scent of vetiver is highly valued in the perfume industry.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "hương bài" is primarily used in botanical, traditional, and aromatherapy contexts. It is less common in everyday conversation than the general word for fragrance ("hương" or "mùi thơm").
Variants and Related Words
Cỏ hương bài: Vetiver grass.
- Cỏ hương bài giúp chống xói mòn đất. (Vetiver grass helps prevent soil erosion.)
Tinh dầu hương bài: Vetiver essential oil.
- Tinh dầu hương bài có tác dụng thư giãn. (Vetiver essential oil has a relaxing effect.)
Synonyms
- Vetiver: The direct English equivalent.
- Khus: A common name for vetiver in South Asia.
Related Cultural Context
- In Vietnam, hương bài roots are a traditional, natural air freshener and insect repellent, commonly found in rural households. Items like "quạt hương bài" (vetiver fans) are both practical and fragrant.