ngọn cờ

ngọn cờ

Ngọn cờ đỏ sao vàng bay phấp phới trên cột cờ.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A flag: A piece of cloth, often rectangular and attached to a pole or rope, used as a symbol, signal, or decoration. This is the primary and most common meaning.
    • A banner / a standard: A flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, or slogan, especially one used to represent a group, cause, or ideology.
    • A pennant: A long, narrow flag, typically triangular or tapering in shape.

  2. Noun (figurative):

    • A symbol / an emblem: Something that serves as a visible representation or rallying point for an idea, movement, or principle.
    • A leading cause / a vanguard: The forefront or leading element of a movement, struggle, or field of endeavor.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (literal):

    • Ngọn cờ đỏ sao vàng bay phấp phới. (The red flag with a yellow star flutters in the wind.)
    • Người lính cầm ngọn cờ trắng ra hiệu đầu hàng. (The soldier held out a white flag to signal surrender.)

  • Noun (figurative):

    • Ông ấy là ngọn cờ đầu trong phong trào đấu tranh. (He was the leading figure in the struggle movement.)
    • Tự do và bình đẳng là ngọn cờ của cách mạng. (Freedom and equality are the banner of the revolution.)
Advanced Usage
  • "giương cao ngọn cờ": To hold high the banner (of something). This is almost exclusively used in a figurative, ideological sense.
    • Chúng ta phải giương cao ngọn cờ độc lập dân tộc. (We must hold high the banner of national independence.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Cờ (n): The general word for flag, chess piece, or card suit. "Ngọn cờ" often emphasizes the physical flagpole and flag as a single unit or is used in more formal/figurative contexts.
  • Lá cờ (n): Another common term for "a flag," often interchangeable with "ngọn cờ" for the literal meaning, but less common in figurative leadership contexts.
Synonyms
  • Flag: A piece of cloth used as an emblem.
  • Banner: A long strip of cloth bearing a slogan or design.
  • Standard: A flag or other object used as an emblem of authority or a collective group.
  • Pennant: A tapering flag.
  • Emblem: A symbolic object representing an idea or quality.
Related Idioms

  • Đầu hàng vô điều kiện / giương cờ trắng: To surrender unconditionally / to raise the white flag.

    • Đối thủ đã phải giương cờ trắng. (The opponent had to raise the white flag.)

  • Theo ngọn cờ của ai: To follow someone's banner/leadership; to be under someone's command or ideological guidance.

    • Họ chiến đấu theo ngọn cờ của vị tướng. (They fought under the banner of the general.)