Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tò he: A traditional Vietnamese folk toy, typically a small, colorful figurine molded from steamed glutinous rice dough. The figurines often depict animals, flowers, or characters from folklore and are fixed to a small bamboo stick.
   • It represents a form of edible folk art and cultural heritage, commonly sold to children by street vendors, especially at traditional festivals and village markets.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bà ngoại mua cho tôi một con tò he hình con rồng. (My grandmother bought me a tò he shaped like a dragon.)
  • Những nghệ nhân làm tò he rất khéo tay. (The artisans who make tò he are very skillful.)
  • Tò he là một phần ký ức tuổi thơ của nhiều người Việt. (Tò he is a part of childhood memory for many Vietnamese people.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "tò he" is used metonymically to refer to the traditional craft and cultural practice itself.
  • Nghề làm tò he đang dần mai một. (The craft of making tò he is gradually fading.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nghệ nhân làm tò he (n): artisan.
• Bột tò he (n): the dough used for making .

Synonyms

• Edible figurine: A small molded figure that can be eaten.
• Rice dough toy: A toy made from colored rice dough.

Related Cultural Concepts

• Trò chơi dân gian: folk games. is often associated with this category of traditional Vietnamese children's playthings.
• Phố cổ Hà Nội: Hanoi's Old Quarter, a common place where vendors can be found.