Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bloom, to flower: The literal meaning refers to a plant beginning to open its flowers.
   • To give birth, to be delivered of a baby: A figurative and literary term, now somewhat archaic, used to describe a woman giving birth. It compares the emergence of a baby to the blooming of a flower.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To bloom):
  • Mùa xuân đến, cây cối đều khai hoa. (Spring arrives, and all the trees bloom.)
  • Đào đã khai hoa. (The peach tree has bloomed.)
• Verb (To give birth):
  • Người vợ sắp đến kỳ khai hoa. (The wife is nearing her time to give birth.)
  • Đến kỳ mãn nguyệt khai hoa. (To reach the full term of pregnancy and give birth.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "khai hoa nở nhụy" (to bloom and open pistils) is an idiom that extends the floral metaphor. It can mean to reach full bloom or, figuratively, to come to full fruition or success, such as a plan or talent blossoming completely.

Variants and Related Words

• Nở hoa (v): The more common and modern term for "to bloom" or "to flower."
• Sinh con (v): The standard, modern term for "to give birth."
• Sinh nở (v): A general term for childbirth and delivery.

Synonyms

• To bloom, to flower: To produce flowers.
• To give birth, to be delivered: To bring forth a baby.

Related Idioms

• Khai hoa nở nhụy: To blossom fully; to come to full fruition or successful completion.
  • Dự án sau nhiều năm cuối cùng cũng khai hoa nở nhụy. (After many years, the project finally came to full fruition.)

1. Bloom flower
   • Đào đã khai hoa
     The peach-tree, has bloomed
2. Be delivered (of a baby)
   • Đến kỳ mãn nguyện khai hoa
     To be about to be delivered, to be very near one's time