Definition

1. Noun:
   • Charcoal: A porous black solid, primarily carbon, produced by heating wood or other organic materials in the absence of air. It is used as a fuel, for drawing, or in filters.
   • Embers, hot coals: The glowing remains of a fire, often used for cooking (e.g., grilling).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy dùng than củi để nướng thịt. (He uses charcoal to grill meat.)
  • Những hòn than trong lò sưởi vẫn còn đỏ hồng. (The coals in the fireplace are still glowing red.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thử thách qua lửa thử than" (idiomatic): To go through a trial by fire; to endure a severe test or hardship.
  • Mối quan hệ của họ đã trải qua thử thách qua lửa thử than. (Their relationship has gone through a trial by fire.)

Variants and Related Words

• Than đá (n): Coal (a hard black rock used as fuel).
• Than hoạt tính (n): Activated charcoal (used for filtration and medicine).
• Cục than (n): A lump/piece of charcoal.
• Lò than (n): Charcoal stove/brazier.

Synonyms

• Than củi (n): Charcoal (specifically from wood).
• Than hồng (n): Glowing embers/coals.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Not commonly applied to this noun.)

Related Idioms

• "Lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức": Adversity tests strength (similar to "fire tests gold, hardship tests strength"). This proverb shares the metaphorical concept of testing found in "qua lửa thử than".
• "Ném than hồng vào tay ai": To incite or provoke someone (literally: to throw hot coals into someone's hand).

1. Charcoal