Definition

1. Noun:
   • Face powder and lipstick: "Phấn son" literally refers to cosmetics used for makeup, specifically face powder (phấn) and lipstick (son).
   • Figurative: Women (in the old society): In a figurative and somewhat archaic sense, "phấn son" can poetically refer to women, especially in the context of traditional or old-fashioned society, emphasizing their use of cosmetics.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (cosmetics):

  • Cô ấy luôn mang theo phấn son trong túi xách. (She always carries face powder and lipstick in her handbag.)
  • Việc trang điểm phấn son giúp cô ấy tự tin hơn. (Applying face powder and lipstick helps her feel more confident.)

• Figurative meaning (women):

  • Trong thơ ca xưa, hình ảnh "bạn phấn son" thường xuất hiện. (In old poetry, the image of "the fairer sex" often appears.)
  • Câu chuyện kể về số phận của những kiếp phấn son. (The story tells the fate of those lives of women in the past.)

Advanced Usage

• "Buôn phấn bán son": This is a fixed phrase meaning to trade in one's charms; to be a courtesan or prostitute (archaic/figurative).

  • Trong xã hội cũ, nhiều người phụ nữ bất hạnh phải buôn phấn bán son để mưu sinh. (In the old society, many unfortunate women had to trade their charms to make a living.)

• "Bạn phấn son": An old-fashioned term meaning women; the fairer sex.

  • Cuộc gặp gỡ giữa các văn nhân và bạn phấn son. (A meeting between literati and the fairer sex.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trang điểm (verb): To apply makeup.

  • Cô ấy đang trang điểm trước khi đi làm. (She is putting on makeup before going to work.)

• Mỹ phẩm (noun): Cosmetics; beauty products (a more general, modern term).

  • Cửa hàng này bán rất nhiều loại mỹ phẩm. (This store sells many types of cosmetics.)

Synonyms

• Đồ trang điểm: Makeup items; cosmetics.
• Son phấn: A less common variant with the same literal meaning (lipstick and powder).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Phấn son điểm tô": To adorn with makeup; to beautify (often used literally or figuratively for embellishment).

  • Cô dâu được phấn son điểm tô thật lộng lẫy. (The bride was adorned with makeup splendidly.)

• "Kiếp phấn son": The lot/fate of a woman (especially in a traditional, often difficult context).

  • Tiểu thuyết viết về kiếp phấn son đầy gian truân. (The novel writes about the arduous fate of women.)

1. Face-powder and lipstick