Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To welcome spring: A traditional cultural activity performed at the beginning of the Lunar New Year (Tết) to ceremoniously greet and celebrate the arrival of spring.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Mọi người trong làng tụ tập để nghinh xuân. (The people in the village gathered to welcome spring.)
  • Lễ hội nghinh xuân có múa lân và đánh trống. (The spring-welcoming festival features lion dancing and drumming.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "nghinh xuân" is often associated with formal, festive, or ritualistic contexts rather than casual speech. It evokes imagery of traditional ceremonies, hope, and renewal.

Variants and Related Words

• Nghênh xuân: This is a common variant spelling of the same phrase with identical meaning and usage.
• Đón xuân: A more common and general synonym meaning "to welcome spring."

Synonyms

• Welcome spring: To celebrate or greet the spring season.
• Greet the new year: To usher in the Lunar New Year, which coincides with spring.

Related Idioms and Cultural Concepts

• While not a standalone idiom, "nghinh xuân" is a key component of the larger cultural concept of "Tết Nguyên Đán" (Lunar New Year), embodying the themes of renewal, family gatherings, and hope for prosperity in the coming year.