râu ba chòm
Definition
- Noun:
- Three-clump beard: A traditional style of facial hair where the beard grows in three distinct, separate tufts or clumps: one on each cheek and one on the chin.
- This term specifically describes the appearance and arrangement of the beard, not merely its presence.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cụ già để râu ba chòm trông rất đạo mạo. (The old man with a three-clump beard looks very venerable.)
- Trong tranh dân gian, ông Tiên thường được vẽ với râu ba chòm. (In folk paintings, the Genie is often depicted with a three-clump beard.)
Advanced Usage
- The "râu ba chòm" is a classic, literary descriptor of beard style, often associated with wise, elderly male figures in Vietnamese culture, such as scholars, genies ("ông Tiên"), or deities.
Variants and Related Words
Râu (n): beard.
- Anh ấy cạo râu mỗi sáng. (He shaves his beard every morning.)
Râu kẽm (n): goatee (a beard style limited to the chin).
- Râu quai nón (n): sideburns or mutton chops (beard along the sides of the face).
Synonyms
- Three-point beard: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the three distinct points of hair.
- Triple-tuft beard: A synonym focusing on the tufted nature of the clumps.
Related Idioms and Cultural References
- While not a standalone idiom, the "râu ba chòm" is a strong cultural motif. It is a standard feature in the visual depiction of benevolent, ancient, and wise male characters in Vietnamese folklore, opera, and art.