Definition

1. Noun:
   • A house on stilts: A traditional dwelling, common among several ethnic groups in Southeast Asia and Vietnam, characterized by a primary living floor built on raised wooden or bamboo pillars (stilts) above the ground.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người dân tộc Thái thường sống trong những ngôi nhà sàn. (The Thai ethnic people often live in houses on stilts.)
  • Nhà sàn giúp tránh thú dữ và ẩm ướt. (A house on stilts helps to avoid wild animals and dampness.)
  • Khu bảo tồn có một ngôi nhà sàn cổ rất đẹp. (The conservation area has a very beautiful ancient stilt house.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "nhà sàn" specifically refers to the architectural style and cultural object. It is a fixed compound noun.
• It can be used metaphorically to evoke traditional culture or rural life.
  • Kiến trúc nhà sàn là một nét văn hóa đặc sắc. (Stilt house architecture is a distinctive cultural feature.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiến trúc nhà sàn (n): stilt house architecture.
• Làng nhà sàn (n): a village of stilt houses.

Synonyms

• Stilt house: The direct English equivalent.
• Pile dwelling: A more technical or anthropological term.

Related Cultural Notes

• "Nhà sàn" is a significant part of the cultural heritage of many Vietnamese ethnic groups like the Tày, Thái, Mường, and Ê-đê.
• The space underneath the house is traditionally used for keeping livestock, storing tools, or as a working area.

1. House on stilts