Definition

Adjective: 1. Both complete; both intact; both preserved: Describes a state where two related or paired things, qualities, or people remain whole, undamaged, or exist together in their entirety. Historically, it often referred specifically to both parents or both spouses being alive and well. 2. Possessing both (qualities) fully; excelling in both: Used in classical or formal contexts to describe someone who possesses and excels in two (typically complementary) virtues, skills, or attributes to a complete degree.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Both intact):
  • Cầu mong cho cha mẹ luôn được song toàn. (I pray that my parents always remain both alive and well.)
  • Trong chiến tranh, gia đình ông ấy vẫn giữ được song toàn. (During the war, his family managed to keep everyone safe and intact.)
• Adjective (Excelling in both):
  • Ông ấy là một vị tướng văn võ song toàn. (He is a general proficient in both civil and military arts.)
  • Người lãnh đạo lý tưởng cần phải trí dũng song toàn. (An ideal leader must possess both wisdom and courage in full measure.)

Advanced Usage

• The word song toàn is considered classical and formal. In modern Vietnamese, it is rarely used in everyday conversation except in fixed, idiomatic phrases.
• Its core meaning emphasizes the and of the two elements. It is not used for more than two items.

Variants and Related Words

• Kiêm toàn (adj): A near-synonym meaning "complete in all aspects," but it does not inherently emphasize a . It can refer to possessing multiple (more than two) good qualities.
  • Đức tính kiêm toàn. (Complete/virtuous character.)
• Toàn vẹn (adj): Intact, whole, undamaged. This is a more common modern word for "intact" but does not specify a pair.
  • Lãnh thổ toàn vẹn. (Intact territory.)

Synonyms

• Đầy đủ cả hai (phrase): Both are fully present. (A descriptive phrase, less formal.)
• Vẹn cả đôi (phrase): Both remain intact/complete. (Colloquial and poetic.)

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Văn võ song toàn (idiom): To be accomplished in both literary/administrative and military arts; to be a well-rounded leader.
• Trí dũng song toàn (idiom): To possess both wisdom and bravery in full measure.
• Phúc lộc song toàn (idiom, classical): To enjoy both happiness and prosperity completely. (A traditional blessing.)

adj

1. both complete