Definition

1. Noun:
   • Flowing Water: The literal meaning of "lưu thủy" is "flowing water" or "running stream," describing water in continuous, smooth motion.
   • A Classical Musical Piece: "Lưu thủy" is the name of a famous, ancient Vietnamese instrumental composition, often played on the đàn tranh (16-string zither) or other traditional instruments. It is characterized by its graceful, flowing melody that mimics the movement of water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tiếng đàn tranh ngân lên bản "Lưu thủy". (The sound of the zither rose with the piece "Flowing Water.")
  • Âm nhạc của bản "lưu thủy" thật nhẹ nhàng và trôi chảy. (The music of the "Flowing Water" piece is very gentle and fluid.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lưu thủy hành vân": This is a common phrase pairing "Flowing Water" with "Wandering Clouds" (hành vân). It refers to two specific, often paired, ancient musical pieces or can describe a state of natural, effortless beauty and harmony.
  • Buổi biểu diễn bao gồm các bản cổ như "lưu thủy hành vân". (The performance included ancient pieces such as "Flowing Water and Wandering Clouds.")

Variants and Related Words

• Bản lưu thủy (n): the "Flowing Water" musical piece.
  • Nghệ sĩ đang tập luyện bản lưu thủy. (The artist is practicing the "Flowing Water" piece.)

Synonyms

• Flowing stream: for the literal meaning.
• Classical melody / Ancient tune: for the musical meaning.

Related Idioms

• Một rằng lưu thủy, hai rằng hành vân: An old poetic line signifying the pairing of these two classic tunes, often used to refer to something that is perfectly matched or a set of beautiful, complementary things.
  • Họ hợp nhau như một rằng lưu thủy, hai rằng hành vân. (They are compatible like the set of "Flowing Water and Wandering Clouds.")