Definition

1. Noun:

   • Old people's glasses, far-sighted glasses: "Kính lão" refers to eyeglasses designed for elderly people, typically used to correct presbyopia (far-sightedness due to aging).
   • (In card games) A specific winning hand: In the traditional Vietnamese card game Tổ Tôm, "kính lão" is a term for a winning hand that contains only one red "ông lão" (old man) card.

2. Verb (less common): To respect the aged, to venerate the elderly: The term can also function as a verb phrase meaning to show respect and reverence towards old people, embodying a traditional Confucian value.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Eyeglasses):

  • Bà tôi cần đeo kính lão để đọc sách. (My grandmother needs to wear old people's glasses to read books.)
  • Cửa hàng này bán nhiều loại kính lão. (This shop sells many types of far-sighted glasses.)

• Noun (Card game):

  • Anh ấy vừa ù ván bài với một cây kính lão. (He just won the card game with a "kính lão" hand.)

• Verb (To respect):

  • Phong tục của chúng ta luôn dạy phải kính lão. (Our customs always teach us to respect the aged.)

Advanced Usage

• "Kính lão đắc thọ": A Sino-Vietnamese proverb meaning "Respect the aged and you will attain longevity." It emphasizes that showing respect to elders brings blessings and a long life to oneself.
  • Ông bà ta thường nói "kính lão đắc thọ" để khuyên răn con cháu. (Our ancestors often said "respect the aged to gain longevity" to advise their descendants.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kính (n): Glasses, lens; also means respect (as in 'kính trọng').
• Lão (n/adj): Old person; old (as in 'ông lão' - old man, 'già lão' - aged).
• Kính cố (n): An older, synonymous term for "kính lão" used in some card game contexts.
• Lão kính (n): A less common inverted form with the same meaning (eyeglasses for the elderly).

Synonyms

• Kính viễn thị: Far-sighted glasses (more technical term for the eyeglasses).
• Tôn kính người già / Kính trọng người cao tuổi: To respect the elderly (verb phrases).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Kính trên nhường dưới: A principle meaning to respect those above (older/senior) and yield to those below (younger/junior). It describes proper hierarchical social conduct.
  • Gia đình anh ấy sống theo đạo lý "kính trên nhường dưới". (His family lives by the principle of "respecting superiors and yielding to inferiors.")

1. Old people's glasses, far-sighted glasses
2. Respect the aged
   • kính lão đắc thọ
     seniores priores