Definition

1. Noun (literary, archaic):
   • Bow and arrow: The literal meaning refers to the traditional weapons of a bow and a set of arrows.
   • A young man's ambition / aspiration: The figurative and primary meaning in classical literature, symbolizing the lofty ideals, heroic spirit, and desire to achieve great deeds (often in service of the country) traditionally expected of a young man.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong văn chương cổ, "hồ thỉ" tượng trưng cho chí khí nam nhi. (In classical literature, "hồ thỉ" symbolizes the ambition of a man.)
  • Chàng trai ấy mang trong mình hồ thỉ, quyết lập công danh. (That young man carries a great ambition, determined to make a name for himself.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively found in classical Vietnamese poetry and prose. It is a Sino-Vietnamese word and is rarely used in modern, everyday conversation.
• It is a key component of the classical four-character idiom "tang bồng hồ thỉ", which fully encapsulates the concept of a man's pledge to serve his country with bow and arrow.

Variants and Related Words

• Tang bồng hồ thỉ (idiom): The complete idiom meaning "the bow of mulberry wood, the arrows of grass," representing the vow and martial spirit of a man to defend his country and fulfill his life's purpose.

Synonyms

• Ambition: a strong desire to achieve something.
• Aspiration: a hope or ambition of achieving something.
• Chí khí (Vietnamese): will, spirit, determination (often for noble goals).

Related Idioms

• Tang bồng hồ thỉ: Denotes the pledged commitment and heroic spirit of a man.
  • Thời loạn, kẻ sĩ thường mang chí tang bồng hồ thỉ. (In times of turmoil, scholars often held the ambition to serve with bow and arrow.)

1. (từ cũ; nghĩa cũ; văn chương) Bow and arrow; young man's ambition in life