hồ ly

hồ ly

Hồ ly đang nằm ngủ dưới gốc cây cổ thụ.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A fox: The primary meaning of "hồ ly" is a fox, a small to medium-sized omnivorous mammal belonging to the family Canidae, known for its bushy tail and cunning nature.
    • A fox spirit / nine-tailed fox: In East Asian mythology and Vietnamese folklore, "hồ ly" often refers specifically to a mythical, shapeshifting fox spirit. These spirits are frequently depicted as intelligent, magical, and sometimes malevolent beings that can transform into beautiful humans, often with multiple tails (a nine-tailed fox, or "cửu vĩ hồ ly," being the most powerful).
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Trong rừng có một con hồ ly. (There is a fox in the forest.)
    • Truyền thuyết kể về một hồ ly chín đuôi. (The legend tells of a nine-tailed fox spirit.)
    • Hồ ly trong cổ tích thường hóa thành người phụ nữ xinh đẹp. (The fox spirit in folklore often transforms into a beautiful woman.)
Advanced Usage
  • "hồ ly tinh": This compound explicitly means "fox spirit" or "fox demon," emphasizing its supernatural and often deceptive qualities.
    • Câu chuyện cảnh báo về những hồ ly tinh quyến rũ. (The story warns about seductive fox demons.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Cáo (n): This is the more common, non-mythological term for "fox."
    • Con cáo bắt gà. (The fox catches chickens.)
  • Cửu vĩ hồ ly / Hồ ly chín đuôi (n): Nine-tailed fox, a specific and potent type of fox spirit in mythology.
    • Cửu vĩ hồ ly là một sinh vật đầy quyền năng. (The nine-tailed fox is a creature of great power.)
Synonyms
  • Fox: The animal.
  • Fox spirit / Kitsune: The mythological being (Note: "Kitsune" is the Japanese term, often understood in context).
Related Idioms and Cultural References
  • Hồ ly giả dạng: Refers to the fox spirit disguising itself, often used metaphorically to describe a deceptive person.
    • Cô ta như một hồ ly giả dạng, không ai biết được bản chất thật. (She is like a disguised fox spirit; no one knows her true nature.)
  • The "hồ ly" is a common motif in literature, film, and games, representing enchantment, trickery, and sometimes tragic love.