kênh rạch
Definition
- Noun:
- Canals and waterways; a network of small canals and channels: This term collectively refers to a system of artificial or natural, often narrow, waterways used for drainage, irrigation, or local transportation, typically found in rural or delta regions.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Khu vực đồng bằng sông Cửu Long có hệ thống kênh rạch chằng chịt. (The Mekong Delta region has a dense network of canals and waterways.)
- Thuyền nhỏ là phương tiện di chuyển chính trên các kênh rạch ở đây. (Small boats are the main means of transport on the canals here.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "kênh rạch" is often used as a compound noun to evoke the characteristic landscape of river deltas, emphasizing complexity and interconnectivity.
- Phát triển đô thị không được làm ô nhiễm các kênh rạch tự nhiên. (Urban development must not pollute the natural waterways.)
Variants and Related Words
Kênh (n): A canal; a larger, often man-made water channel.
- Kênh đào này nối hai con sông lớn. (This canal connects two major rivers.)
Rạch (n): A small, natural water channel or creek; often smaller and more natural than a "kênh".
- Con rạch sau nhà tôi lúc nào cũng có nước. (The creek behind my house always has water.)
Synonyms
- Waterways: Routes for travel or transport by water.
- Canals: Artificial waterways constructed for navigation or irrigation.
- Channels: Natural or artificial waterways that convey water.
Related Idioms
- While there is no direct idiom using "kênh rạch", the landscape it describes is central to idioms about the Mekong Delta's culture and livelihood.
- Sống chung với lũ, quen với kênh rạch. (To live with floods, to be accustomed to the waterways.) – This describes adaptation to the delta environment.