Definition

Noun: 1. A bright pearl; a luminous gem: A precious stone or pearl that is radiant and lustrous. This is the literal and classical meaning. 2. A metaphor for something precious, beautiful, or virtuous: Used figuratively to describe a person or thing of exceptional value, beauty, or moral quality.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):
  • Trong truyền thuyết, rồng thường giữ viên minh châu. (In legends, dragons often guard the bright pearl.)
  • Chiếc vương miện được đính một viên minh châu lấp lánh. (The crown was set with a sparkling luminous gem.)
• Noun (Figurative):
  • Cô ấy là viên minh châu của gia đình. (She is the bright pearl of the family.)
  • Tác phẩm đó được xem là một minh châu của nền văn học. (That work is considered a gem of the literature.)

Advanced Usage

• "minh châu" in Classical & Literary Contexts: The word is primarily used in classical literature, poetry, proverbs, and formal or elevated language. It is less common in everyday modern speech.
  • "Người ta là hoa đất, là minh châu của tạo hóa." (A person is the flower of the earth, the shining pearl of creation.) – This reflects a traditional, proverbial style.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngọc trai (n): Pearl. This is the standard, modern word for "pearl".
• Châu ngọc (n): Gems and pearls; treasure. A more general term for precious jewels.
• Trân châu (n): Pearl (often used in culinary contexts, e.g., bubble tea - ).

Synonyms

• Ngọc quý (n): Precious gem.
• Vật quý giá (n): Something precious/valuable.
• Bảo vật (n): Treasure.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Châu về Hợp Phố: Literally "The pearl returns to Hợp Phố". This idiom means "something valuable returns to its rightful place" or "a happy reunion". It originates from a legend about a luminous pearl.
  • Cuối cùng bức tranh quý cũng đã châu về Hợp Phố. (Finally, the valuable painting has returned to its rightful owner.)

noun

1. orient peard