Definition

1. Noun:
   • A piece of cloth: A rectangular or square piece of fabric, typically made of cotton, linen, or other materials, used for various purposes such as drying, wiping, covering, or as an accessory.
   • A head covering or scarf: A piece of cloth worn on the head, often for cultural, religious, or practical reasons (e.g., protection from sun or dust).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cô ấy dùng khăn để lau khô tay. (She used a towel to dry her hands.)
  • Chiếc khăn quàng cổ này rất ấm. (This scarf is very warm.)
  • Hãy trải khăn lên bàn trước khi ăn. (Please spread the tablecloth on the table before eating.)

Advanced Usage

• "khăn tang": mourning headband or scarf.
  • Gia đình anh ấy đeo khăn tang trong đám tang. (His family wore mourning bands at the funeral.)
• "khăn đóng": a traditional Vietnamese men's headgear, often worn with the áo dài.
  • Ông ấy mặc áo dài và đội khăn đóng trong lễ cưới. (He wore an áo dài and a traditional turban at the wedding.)

Variants and Related Words

• khăn tay (n): handkerchief.
  • Anh ấy luôn mang theo một chiếc khăn tay. (He always carries a handkerchief.)
• khăn tắm (n): bath towel.
  • Tôi cần một chiếc khăn tắm sạch. (I need a clean bath towel.)
• khăn trải bàn (n): tablecloth.
  • Chiếc khăn trải bàn màu trắng trông rất trang nhã. (The white tablecloth looks very elegant.)
• khăn quàng cổ (n): scarf, neckerchief.
  • Trời lạnh, cô ấy quàng một chiếc khăn quàng cổ. (It's cold, so she put on a scarf.)

Synonyms

• vải (n): cloth, fabric (a more general term for material).
• mảnh vải (n): piece of cloth.

Related Phrases (Compound Constructions)

• giặt khăn: to wash towels/cloths.
  • Cô ấy đang giặt khăn trong phòng tắm. (She is washing towels in the bathroom.)
• phơi khăn: to hang towels/cloths to dry.
  • Bạn nên phơi khăn dưới nắng. (You should hang the towels in the sun to dry.)

Related Idioms

• "Khăn mặt vắt vai": (Literally: A face towel slung over the shoulder) Describes a simple, rustic, or carefree appearance, often of someone from the countryside.
  • Anh ấy trông thật mộc mạc với hình ảnh khăn mặt vắt vai. (He looks very rustic with the image of a face towel slung over his shoulder.)
• "Ăn trông nồi, ngồi trông hướng, cười trông *khăn": (A proverb: When eating, watch the pot; when sitting, watch the direction; when laughing, watch your *handkerchief.) Advises one to be mindful of manners and etiquette in different situations. The part about the handkerchief refers to covering one's mouth politely when laughing.
  • Cô giáo dạy chúng tôi phép lịch sự: "Ăn trông nồi, ngồi trông hướng, cười trông khăn". (The teacher taught us manners: "Mind your surroundings when eating, sitting, and laughing.")

noun

1. towel
   • khăn tay
     handkerchief
   • khăn tắm
     bath towel