mào gà
Definition
- Noun:
- Cockscomb: The primary meaning refers to the brightly colored, fleshy crest on top of a rooster's head.
- Cockscomb flower / Celosia: A common garden plant (Celosia argentea var. cristata) whose flower head resembles the shape and vibrant color (often red) of a rooster's comb.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Animal Part):
- Con gà trống có cái mào gà đỏ rất to. (The rooster has a very large red cockscomb.)
- Noun (Plant):
- Bà tôi trồng nhiều mào gà trong vườn. (My grandmother grows many cockscomb flowers in her garden.)
- Hoa mào gà thường có màu đỏ hoặc vàng. (Cockscomb flowers are often red or yellow.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used literally. In literature or descriptive writing, the "mào gà" of a rooster can be used as a vivid symbol of pride, morning, or alertness.
Variants and Related Words
- Hoa mào gà (n): The full term for the cockscomb flower, specifying the plant.
- Hoa mào gà nở rộ vào mùa thu. (Cockscomb flowers bloom profusely in autumn.)
- Mồng gà (n): A regional variant with the same meaning as "mào gà."
Synonyms
- Cockscomb: For the rooster's crest.
- Celosia: The botanical name for the flower.
- Woolflower: A common name for some varieties.
Related Idioms and Cultural Notes
- While not a standalone idiom, the "mào gà" is a distinctive feature in Vietnamese folk imagery related to roosters, often mentioned in descriptions of dawn or rural life. The flower is also a familiar sight in traditional festivals and altar decorations.