Definitions

1. Adjective:

   • Pink; rosy: The color between red and white. Also used figuratively to describe a healthy, rosy complexion or a positive, optimistic situation.
   • Red (archaic/poetic): In classical Vietnamese poetry and literature, "hồng" can sometimes mean "red," often used in elevated or romantic contexts.

2. Noun:

   • Persimmon: A type of fruit from trees in the genus Diospyros. When unripe, it is astringent; when ripe, it is sweet and soft.
   • Rose: The flower of plants in the genus Rosa, known for its fragrant, layered petals and thorns.
   • Wild goose (archaic/poetic): In classical literature, "cánh hồng" (pink/hong wing) is a poetic metaphor for the wings of a wild goose, symbolizing lofty flight or a messenger.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Cô ấy mặc một chiếc váy màu hồng. (She is wearing a pink dress.)
  • Đôi má hồng hào của em bé. (The baby's rosy cheeks.)
  • Một tương lai hồng. (A bright/rosy future.)

• Noun:

  • Mùa thu là mùa hồng chín. (Autumn is the season when persimmons ripen.)
  • Anh ấy tặng cô ấy một bó hoa hồng. (He gave her a bouquet of roses.)
  • Cánh hồng bay bổng giữa trời xanh. (The wild goose's wings soaring high in the blue sky.)

Advanced Usage

• "lông hồng": Literally "pink/hong feather." An idiom meaning "very light," as light as a goose down feather.
  • Vật này nhẹ như lông hồng. (This object is as light as a feather.)
• "má hồng": Literally "pink/hong cheeks." A poetic term for the beautiful, rosy cheeks of a young woman.
  • Thi nhân thường ca ngợi má hồng. (Poets often praise rosy cheeks.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hồng hào (adj): Rosy, ruddy (often describing a healthy complexion).
• Hường (adj/n): A southern Vietnamese variant for the color "pink." Also can mean "rose."
• Hoa hồng (n): Rose (the flower). Also means "commission" (a percentage of a sale).
• Màu hồng (n): The color pink.
• Quả hồng / Trái hồng (n): Persimmon (the fruit).

Synonyms

• For the color (adj): Phấn hồng (light pink), đỏ hồng (rosy red). (Note: "Đỏ" is the general word for "red.")
• For the fruit (n): Trái sharon (Sharon fruit), quả thị (a related, similar fruit).
• For the flower (n): Tường vi (a type of rose), hoa tường vi.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Sóng gió bất kỳ ai đâu đấy / Hãy xin hãy nhớ lấy lời nhau / Duyên hồng có thắm thì đâu / Xin đừng quên lãng nghĩa sâu cũ màng." (Poetry by Trần Tế Xương): This uses "duyên hồng" (pink/hong fate) to mean a romantic, rosy relationship or marriage bond.
• "Trời xanh quen thói má hồng đánh ghen." (From "Truyện Kiều" by Nguyễn Du): Uses "má hồng" (rosy cheeks) to symbolize a beautiful woman, implying "Heaven (Fate) is jealous of beauties."

adj

1. pink; rosy

noun

1. persimmon