Definition

1. Noun:

   • Dodder: A parasitic plant with a slender, thread-like stem, typically yellow or pale green in color, lacking leaves, which twines around and derives nutrients from a host plant.
   • Marriage tie / Red thread of fate: A symbolic red thread or silk cord, representing a predestined marital bond, stemming from Chinese mythology. It is associated with the deity of marriage.

2. Verb (archaic, literary):

   • To bind in marriage: To act as a matchmaker or to unite two people in matrimony, often with a connotation of heavenly decree.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • Trong vườn, dây tơ hồng đang bám vào cây bưởi. (In the garden, the dodder is clinging to the pomelo tree.)
• Noun (Marriage Symbol):
  • Theo truyền thuyết, ông Tơ bà Nguyệt buộc tơ hồng cho những người có duyên với nhau. (According to legend, the Marriage God binds the red thread of fate for those destined for each other.)
• Verb:
  • Ước gì có ai đó tơ hồng cho hai người ấy. (If only someone would bind those two in marriage.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ông Tơ" / "Nguyệt Lão": The Old Man of the Moon or the deity of marriage, who is said to tie the red thread around the ankles of those destined to marry.
  • Họ tin rằng ông Tơ đã se duyên cho họ gặp nhau. (They believe the Marriage God destined them to meet.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dây tơ hồng (n): Another term for the dodder plant, emphasizing its vine-like form.
  • Dây tơ hồng làm cây chủ suy yếu. (The dodder vine weakens the host plant.)
• Se tơ hồng (v): To act as a matchmaker; to weave the marriage thread.
  • Bà cụ thích se tơ hồng cho con cháu. (The old lady likes to play matchmaker for her grandchildren.)

Synonyms

• Dodder: Cuscuta (scientific name).
• Marriage bond / Matrimonial tie: The union or link of marriage.
• Matchmake: To arrange a marriage or romantic relationship.

Related Idioms

• Buộc tơ hồng: To tie the marriage thread; to officiate or cause a marriage.
  • Lễ cưới là dịp để buộc tơ hồng cho đôi trẻ. (The wedding is the occasion to tie the marriage thread for the young couple.)
• Sợi tơ hồng: Literally "the strand of red thread," directly referring to the mythical bond.
  • Sợi tơ hồng đã đưa họ đến với nhau. (The red thread of fate brought them together.)

verb

1. dodder marriage tie