nụ áo

Hoa nụ áo nở rộ trong vườn nhà.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of plant: A plant species with small, round flowers resembling the buttons on a traditional long dress (áo dài).
   • A type of button: A small, round button, often used as a decorative fastener on clothing.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • Vườn nhà bà tôi có nhiều cây nụ áo. (My grandmother's garden has many nụ áo plants.)
• Noun (Button):
  • Chiếc áo này được đính những nụ áo bằng ngọc trai rất đẹp. (This dress is fastened with very beautiful pearl nụ áo buttons.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is poetic and somewhat archaic in modern Vietnamese, primarily evoking imagery related to traditional attire and delicate, round shapes.

Variants and Related Words

• Cúc áo: A more common and general term for "button."
  • Cô ấy làm đứt một cái cúc áo. (She broke a button.)

Synonyms

• Button (for the fastener meaning).
• Flower bud (for the botanical reference, though it refers to a specific plant).

Notes on Usage

• "Nụ áo" is not a common word in everyday contemporary language. When referring to buttons, the word "cúc áo" is standard. "Nụ áo" carries a specific, descriptive, and slightly literary nuance.