phất trần
Definition
- Noun:
- A feather duster: A household cleaning tool, typically consisting of a handle with soft feathers (often from a chicken) attached to one end, used to remove dust from surfaces by lightly brushing or flicking.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy dùng phất trần để quét bụi trên kệ sách. (She uses a feather duster to dust the bookshelf.)
- Phất trần làm bằng lông gà rất hiệu quả để lau bụi. (A feather duster made from chicken feathers is very effective for wiping away dust.)
Advanced Usage
- In historical and cultural contexts, a "phất trần" can refer to a fly whisk or horsetail whisk, an implement made of animal hair (like from a horse or yak) traditionally carried by East Asian Buddhist monks, Taoist immortals, or scholars as a symbol of authority, purity, or to brush away insects.
- Vị thiền sư cầm phất trần trong tay. (The Zen master held a fly whisk in his hand.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chổi lông gà (n): A more descriptive term for a chicken-feather duster.
- Chổi lông gà cũng là một loại phất trần. (A chicken-feather brush is also a type of feather duster.)
Synonyms
- Feather duster: The primary, common household item.
- Fly whisk: The ceremonial or historical implement.
- Duster: A general term.
Related Idioms
- While not a standalone idiom, the ceremonial "phất trần" is associated with the philosophical or religious act of brushing away worldly distractions or impurities, much like dust.
- Cầm phất trần, quét sạch phiền não. (Holding the fly whisk, sweep away all afflictions.)