Definition

Idiomatic Noun Phrase: - A bosom friend; a bedfellow; a chum: Refers to an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable friend. The phrase originates from the literal image of two people sharing or connecting their loincloths (khố), symbolizing profound closeness and shared fortune, often from a young age or through thick and thin.

Usage Examples

• Idiomatic Noun Phrase:
  • Họ là bạn nối khố từ thuở nhỏ. (They have been bosom friends since childhood.)
  • Chúng tôi không chỉ là đồng nghiệp, mà còn là bạn nối khố của nhau. (We are not just colleagues, but also bedfellows/chums.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is considered colloquial and somewhat vulgar in its original imagery, conveying a sense of rugged, tested loyalty. It is used almost exclusively for male friendships.
• It implies a level of intimacy and trust that goes beyond ordinary friendship, suggesting a bond forged through shared experiences, often including hardship.

Variants and Related Words

• Bạn thân (n): a close friend. (A more common and neutral term for a close friend.)
• Tri kỷ (n): a soulmate; a confidant. (A more literary term for a deeply understanding friend.)

Synonyms

• Bosom friend: A very close, intimate friend.
• Bedfellow: A close associate or companion (often by circumstance).
• Chum: A close friend (informal).
• Alter ego: Another side of oneself; a very close friend.

Related Idioms

• Chung một khố: Literally "sharing one loincloth." A synonymous phrase emphasizing shared poverty or circumstance in youth.
• Ăn cùng mâm, nằm cùng chiếu: Literally "eat from the same tray, sleep on the same mat." Describes people who are constantly together and share everything, similar to the concept of .

1. Very intimate, bosom (friend)
   • Bạn nối khố
     A bosom friend, a bedfellow, a chum