Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tea (the beverage): Refers to the drink made by infusing tea leaves in hot water. This is the most common and general meaning.
   • Infusion of tea: Specifically denotes the liquid resulting from steeping tea leaves.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mời bác uống nước chè. (Please have some tea.)
  • Buổi sáng, ông ấy thường uống một ly nước chè nóng. (In the morning, he usually drinks a cup of hot tea.)
  • Nước chè này pha hơi đặc. (This tea is brewed a bit strong.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nước chè tươi": Fresh tea, often referring to tea made from fresh, unprocessed tea leaves, not dried ones.

  • Ở quê, bà ngoại hay nấu nước chè tươi. (In the countryside, my grandmother often brews fresh tea.)

• "Nước chè xanh": Green tea.

  • Nước chè xanh tốt cho sức khỏe. (Green tea is good for health.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chè (n): This word can mean "tea" (the leaves or the plant) or, in different contexts, a sweet dessert soup or pudding. "Nước chè" is more specific to the beverage.
• Trà (n): A more formal or literary synonym for "chè," also meaning "tea." "Nước trà" is equivalent to "nước chè."
• Tách trà / Tách chè (n): A cup of tea.

Synonyms

• Trà: Tea (more formal).
• Hãm trà / Pha trà: To brew tea (verb).

Related Phrases

• Pha nước chè / Hãm nước chè: To make/brew tea.

  • Bố tôi đang pha nước chè để tiếp khách. (My father is brewing tea to serve the guests.)

• Uống nước chè: To drink tea.

  • Thói quen uống nước chè mỗi sáng của ông ấy không thay đổi. (His habit of drinking tea every morning hasn't changed.)

Related Idioms

• "Miếng trầu là đầu câu chuyện, chén trà là đầu câu thơ": (The betel quid starts the conversation, the cup of tea starts the poetry.) This proverb highlights the role of tea in fostering social interaction and inspiration.
• "Khách đến nhà không trà thì nước": (A guest comes to the house, if not tea then water.) Emphasizes the basic courtesy of offering a guest a drink, with tea being the preferred choice.

1. Tea