Definition

1. Noun (Literary):

   • A thousand autumns: A poetic term representing an extremely long, immeasurable span of time, symbolizing eternity or permanence.
   • Forever, eternity: Used to describe something that lasts for all time, never ending.

2. Adjective (Literary):

   • Eternal, everlasting, immortal: Describes a state, feeling, or legacy that endures forever.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tình yêu của họ được nguyện ước cho trường tồn nghìn thu. (Their love was wished to last for a thousand autumns.)
  • Những công trình kiến trúc ấy đã đứng vững nghìn thu. (Those architectural works have stood for eternity.)
• Adjective:
  • Danh tiếng của vị anh hùng ấy là nghìn thu. (That hero's fame is eternal.)
  • Họ đã đi vào giấc ngủ nghìn thu. (They have entered the eternal sleep.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in literary, poetic, or formal contexts to convey deep emotion, grandeur, or solemnity. It is not used in everyday conversation.
• It is commonly associated with profound themes like timeless love, enduring legacy, or death.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngàn thu: An alternative, equally common spelling with the same meaning.
  • Lời thề ngàn thu. (An everlasting vow.)
• Vĩnh cửu (adj): Eternal, perpetual (more common in formal and philosophical contexts).
• Trường tồn (v): To endure, to last forever.
• Bất tử (adj): Immortal, undying.

Synonyms

• Eternity: Infinite or unending time.
• Forever: For all future time; for always.
• Everlasting: Lasting forever or for a very long time.
• Immortal: Living forever; never dying or decaying.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Giấc nghìn thu / Giấc ngủ nghìn thu: The eternal sleep. A poetic euphemism for death.
  • Ông ấy đã an giấc nghìn thu. (He has rested in eternal sleep.)
• Nghìn thu bạc mệnh: An eternal, ill-fated destiny. A classical literary phrase describing a tragic fate that defines one's entire legacy.
  • Số phận của nàng tiên cá là một nghìn thu bạc mệnh. (The mermaid's fate is an eternally tragic one.)

1. For ever
   • Giấc nghìn thu
     The sleep that knows no breaking