lầu son
Definition
- Noun:
- A gilded mansion; a magnificent, opulent residence: "lầu son" refers to a splendid, luxurious house or mansion, typically one belonging to the wealthy, noble, or aristocratic class in feudal society. It evokes an image of a tall, beautiful building painted in vermilion or adorned with gold and red, symbolizing extreme wealth and high social status.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong truyện cổ tích, công chúa thường sống trong lầu son. (In fairy tales, princesses often live in gilded mansions.)
- Cuộc sống nơi lầu son gác tía không phải lúc nào cũng hạnh phúc. (Life in opulent palaces is not always happy.)
Advanced Usage
- "lầu son gác tía": This is a common, fixed four-word idiom that intensifies the meaning of "lầu son". It means "magnificent towers and vermilion pavilions", describing an extremely luxurious and grand palace or residence. It is often used to symbolize a life of extreme luxury and privilege, sometimes with a connotation of being detached from the hardships of ordinary people.
- Anh ta quên mất cuộc sống khó khăn ngày xưa khi đã ở nơi lầu son gác tía. (He forgot his difficult past life after living in magnificent towers and vermilion pavilions.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lâu đài (n): Castle. A large, fortified building or a grand, stately residence.
- Dinh thự (n): Mansion, villa. A large, impressive house.
- Phủ đệ (n): Mansion, manor. The residence of a high-ranking mandarin or noble in feudal times.
Synonyms
- Dinh thự nguy nga: A majestic mansion.
- Cung điện: Palace (specifically for royalty).
Related Idioms
- "Lầu son gác tía": As explained in the Advanced Usage section, this is the primary and most common idiom associated with "lầu son". It is used more frequently than "lầu son" alone.