khăn trắng
Definition
- Noun:
- A white scarf or cloth: A piece of white fabric, typically square or rectangular, used as a versatile accessory for the head, neck, or shoulders.
- A symbol of mourning or remembrance: In Vietnamese culture, a white scarf is traditionally worn as a sign of grief, loss, or to commemorate the deceased.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy quàng một chiếc khăn trắng để giữ ấm cổ. (She wore a white scarf to keep her neck warm.)
- Trong lễ tang, nhiều người tham dự đeo khăn trắng. (At the funeral, many attendees wore white scarves.)
Advanced Usage
- "khăn trắng tinh": A pure white, immaculately clean scarf, emphasizing its spotless condition.
- Cô học sinh luôn có một chiếc khăn trắng tinh trong cặp sách. (The student always had a pure white scarf in her school bag.)
Variants and Related Words
- Khăn đen (n): A black scarf, often contrasted with a white scarf in contexts of symbolism (e.g., mourning vs. celebration).
- Trong văn hóa, khăn đen và khăn trắng mang những ý nghĩa khác nhau. (In culture, black scarves and white scarves carry different meanings.)
Synonyms
- White headscarf: A white cloth for covering the head.
- Mourning scarf: A scarf worn as a symbol of bereavement.
Cultural Note
- The khăn trắng is deeply associated with Vietnamese funeral rites and memorial ceremonies. It is a traditional symbol of purity, respect for the dead, and familial piety. Wearing it signifies the wearer's state of mourning and remembrance.