Definition

Noun: * Tinplate: A thin sheet of steel or iron coated with a layer of tin to prevent rust. This material is commonly used to make cans, boxes, and various household containers.

Usage Examples

• (Boxes made of tinplate are very durable.)
• (In the past, oil lamps often had shades made of tinplate.)
• (He collects antique items made from tinplate.)

Advanced Usage

• The term sắt tây is often used in contrast with sắt trắng (galvanized iron/zinc-coated iron) and sắt đen (black iron, uncoated steel). It specifically denotes the tin coating.
• In historical or traditional contexts, sắt tây refers to items like old oil lamp shades, lunch boxes (cơm hộp sắt tây), or tea canisters that were common before the widespread use of aluminum and plastic.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiếc: (Noun) Tin, the metal used to coat the iron sheets.
• Tôn: (Noun) A broader term for corrugated or sheet metal, which can be made from galvanized iron, aluminum, or sometimes tinplate. Sắt tây is a specific type of tôn.
• Ferblanterie: (French loanword, historical/technical) Tinware; the craft or products of tinsmithing.

Synonyms

• Tôn mạ thiếc: (Technical term) Tin-coated sheet metal. This is a more descriptive synonym.
• Thép tráng thiếc: (Technical term) Tin-plated steel.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Đồ sắt tây: Tinware; goods or items made from tinplate.
  • Cửa hàng này bán nhiều đồ sắt tây như ấm, thùng, hộp. (This store sells a lot of tinware like kettles, cans, and boxes.)
• Thợ sắt tây: Tinsmith; a craftsman who works with tinplate.
  • Nghề thợ sắt tây ngày càng hiếm gặp. (The trade of a tinsmith is becoming increasingly rare.)

noun

1. tin