Definition

1. Noun:
   • A gourd used as a wine container: "hồ lô" refers to a dried, hollowed-out gourd traditionally used to carry or store wine or other liquids.
   • A type of gourd with a distinctive shape: It can also refer to the specific type of bottle gourd (calabash) that has a narrow middle and two bulging ends, resembling the number 8.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông lão thường mang theo một hồ lô đầy rượu. (The old man often carries a gourd full of wine.)
  • Quả hồ lô khô rất nhẹ và bền. (The dried bottle gourd is very light and durable.)
  • Trong truyện cổ tích, nhân vật tiên ông thường cầm hồ lô. (In fairy tales, the immortal character often holds a gourd.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Symbol: In Vietnamese and East Asian culture, the "hồ lô" is often associated with longevity, good fortune, and immortals (tiên). It is a common motif in art and folklore.

  • Hình ảnh hồ lô thường xuất hiện trong tranh dân gian Đông Hồ. (The image of the gourd often appears in Dong Ho folk paintings.)

• Metaphorical Use: It can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe an object or shape resembling the gourd.

  • Chiếc bình có dáng như một quả hồ lô. (The vase has a shape like a gourd.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bầu hồ lô: A more descriptive term for the bottle gourd plant or fruit.

  • Giàn bầu hồ lô nhà tôi năm nay ra nhiều quả. (My bottle gourd vine bore many fruits this year.)

• Bình hồ lô: Refers to a vase or container made in the shape of a gourd.

  • Bình hồ lô bằng sứ rất được ưa chuộng. (Porcelain gourd-shaped vases are very popular.)

Synonyms

• Bầu rượu: Wine gourd (a more direct synonym).
• Calabash: The English term for this type of gourd, often used in botanical contexts.

Related Phrases

• Hồ lô bát bảo: (Eight Treasures Gourd) A decorative motif featuring a gourd with eight precious symbols, representing prosperity.
• Tiên ông hồ lô: (Immortal's Gourd) Refers to the gourd carried by Taoist immortals, often depicted in stories as containing magic medicine or wine.

1. Wine gourd