tứ

Một chiếc tứ chở bốn ngựa phi nhanh trên con đường làng.

Definition

1. Noun (archaic):

   • A team of four horses: Refers to a chariot or carriage drawn by four horses, used in classical literature to denote nobility or grandeur.
   • The core idea or inspiration of a literary work: The central, often poetic, concept or theme that forms the foundation of a poem or piece of writing.

2. Verb (archaic):

   • To bestow from a superior to an inferior: For a king or person of high authority to grant or give something to a subject or subordinate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Thơ cổ thường ca ngợi cảnh *tứ mã xa hoa.* (Ancient poetry often praised scenes of luxurious carriages with a team of four horses.)
  • Bài thơ này có một *tứ rất độc đáo và sâu sắc.* (This poem has a very unique and profound core idea.)

• Verb:

  • Nhà vua *tứ thưởng cho các trung thần.* (The king bestowed rewards upon his loyal subjects.)

Advanced Usage

• "tứ thơ": the poetic concept or inspiration.

  • Nhà phê bình đi tìm *tứ thơ ẩn sau những câu chữ.* (The critic searches for the poetic concept hidden behind the words.)

• "tứ mã": four horses (specifically referring to the team pulling a carriage).

  • Chiến xa *tứ mã là biểu tượng của quyền lực.* (The chariot with four horses is a symbol of power.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tứ tuyệt (n): a classical Chinese/Vietnamese poetic form with four lines, each of seven syllables.
  • Ông cụ rất thích ngâm thơ *tứ tuyệt. (The old man loves to recite tứ tuyệt poems.)

Synonyms

• Theme / Motif: the subject or central idea (for the literary meaning).
• Bestow / Confer: to give or grant (for the verb meaning).
• Quadriga: a chariot drawn by four horses (for the archaic noun).

Related Idioms

• "Văn hay ý đẹp": This common phrase (meaning "beautiful writing, beautiful ideas") relates closely to the literary meaning of tứ, emphasizing the importance of a strong core idea in writing.