Definitions

1. Noun:
   • Handkerchief: A small, usually square piece of cloth, often made of cotton or linen, carried in a pocket or purse for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands, face, or nose.
   • A thin, square cloth: The term emphasizes the item's typical square shape and thin fabric, distinguishing it from larger towels or scarves.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy luôn mang theo một chiếc khăn tay sạch sẽ trong túi. (He always carries a clean handkerchief in his pocket.)
  • Cô ấy dùng khăn tay để lau nước mắt. (She used a handkerchief to wipe her tears.)
  • Khăn tay bằng vải cotton rất thấm hút. (Cotton handkerchiefs are very absorbent.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural/Formal Use: In more formal or traditional settings, a "khăn tay" can be a neatly folded accessory in a suit pocket.
  • Trong đám cưới, chú rể thường cài một chiếc khăn tay gấp cẩn thận trên túi ngực áo vest. (At weddings, the groom often places a carefully folded handkerchief on the breast pocket of his suit jacket.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mùi soa (Noun): A synonym for "khăn tay," often used in Northern Vietnam. It refers to the same item, a handkerchief.
  • "Mùi soa" là một từ cùng nghĩa với "khăn tay". ("Mùi soa" is a word synonymous with "khăn tay".)
• Khăn giấy (Noun): Tissue paper or paper handkerchief. This is a disposable modern alternative.
  • Ngày nay, nhiều người dùng khăn giấy thay cho khăn tay vải. (Nowadays, many people use tissues instead of cloth handkerchiefs.)
• Khăn (Noun): A general term for any cloth used for wiping (e.g., towel, scarf). "Khăn tay" is a specific type of "khăn."

Synonyms

• Handkerchief: The direct and most common translation.
• Pocket square: Specifically when used as a decorative accessory in formal wear, though this is a more specialized meaning.

Related Phrases (if applicable)

(Note: "Khăn tay" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs. Common phrases involve its use with verbs.) - Mang theo khăn tay: to carry a handkerchief. - Bà tôi luôn dặn tôi phải mang theo khăn tay. (My grandmother always told me to carry a handkerchief.) - Gấp khăn tay: to fold a handkerchief. - Anh ấy biết cách gấp khăn tay thành nhiều kiểu khác nhau. (He knows how to fold a handkerchief into different styles.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "khăn tay." It may appear in descriptive phrases.) - Sạch sẽ như khăn tay mới: (As clean as a new handkerchief) – A simile describing something very clean and neat. - Căn phòng được dọn dẹp sạch sẽ như khăn tay mới. (The room was cleaned until it was as neat as a new handkerchief.)

1. Handkerchief