Definition

Noun: 1. Aircraft Lighter Than Air: A very large, enclosed bag (envelope) filled with a gas that is lighter than air (such as helium or hot air), which allows it to rise and float in the atmosphere. It may be unpowered and drift with the wind (a balloon) or powered and steerable (an airship). 2. General Term for Balloons and Airships: The general Vietnamese term encompassing both non-rigid balloons and rigid or semi-rigid dirigibles (airships).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Những chiếc khí cầu nhiều màu sắc bay lơ lửng trên bầu trời lễ hội. (The colorful balloons floated in the festival sky.)
  • Trong lịch sử, khí cầu đã được sử dụng cho mục đích thám hiểm và quân sự. (Historically, airships were used for exploration and military purposes.)
  • Anh ấy mơ ước được một lần bay trên khí cầu khinh khí. (He dreams of riding in a hot-air balloon one day.)

Advanced Usage

• "khí cầu thám không": Refers specifically to a weather balloon or a sounding balloon used for atmospheric research.
  • Các nhà khoa học sử dụng khí cầu thám không để thu thập dữ liệu về tầng khí quyển. (Scientists use weather balloons to collect atmospheric data.)
• "khí cầu có động cơ" / "khí cầu lái được": Specifically denotes a powered, steerable airship or dirigible.
  • Zeppelin là một loại khí cầu có động cơ nổi tiếng. (The Zeppelin is a famous type of powered airship.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bong bóng (noun): A small balloon, typically a toy balloon or soap bubble. It is not used for large, manned aircraft.
  • Đứa trẻ thổi một quả bong bóng xà phòng. (The child blew a soap bubble.)
• Khinh khí cầu (noun): Specifically refers to a hot-air balloon, which uses heated air as the lifting gas.
• Phi cơ (noun): A general term for aircraft, specifically referring to airplanes (heavier-than-air craft), which are distinct from lighter-than-air .

Synonyms

• Balloon (English): The closest equivalent for an unpowered, lighter-than-air craft. Often specified as "hot-air balloon" () or "gas balloon".
• Airship / Dirigible (English): The closest equivalent for a powered, steerable, lighter-than-air craft (e.g., a Zeppelin).

Related Phrases / Compound Terms

• Bay khí cầu (verb phrase): To go ballooning; to travel by balloon or airship.
  • Bay khí cầu là một trải nghiệm du lịch độc đáo. (Ballooning is a unique travel experience.)
• Vỏ khí cầu: The envelope or outer bag of a balloon or airship.
• Giỏ khí cầu: The basket or gondola suspended beneath a balloon or airship for carrying passengers and equipment.

noun

1. balloon; air-ship