Definition

Noun: A handrail or railing is a long, narrow bar, typically fixed to a wall or supported by posts, designed to be held by the hand for support, stability, or safety while walking, especially on stairs, along corridors, or on balconies.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hãy vịn vào tay vịn khi xuống cầu thang. (Hold onto the handrail when going down the stairs.)
  • Tay vịn cầu thang mới được làm bằng gỗ sồi. (The new staircase railing is made of oak.)
  • Anh ấy dựa người vào tay vịn ban công. (He leaned against the balcony railing.)

Advanced Usage

• In architectural and interior design contexts, "tay vịn" refers specifically to the functional safety component of a stair, ramp, or walkway system.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe something that provides crucial support or guidance.
  • Kiến thức cơ bản là tay vịn vững chắc cho nghiên cứu sâu hơn. (Basic knowledge is a solid handrail for deeper research.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lan can (n): This is a broader term for a guardrail or balustrade, which includes the entire protective barrier (the railing, the supporting posts, and sometimes the infill). A "tay vịn" is often the top part of a "lan can" that you hold.
  • Lan can bằng kính rất hiện đại. (The glass guardrail is very modern.)
• Thanh vịn (n): A less common synonym for handrail, emphasizing its nature as a bar or rod.

Synonyms

• Handrail: The most direct synonym, focusing on the part you grip.
• Railing: Often used interchangeably, but can refer to the entire structure including supports.
• Banister: Commonly refers to the handrail and its supporting posts on a staircase.

Related Idioms

• Vịn vào tay vịn: Literally "to hold onto the handrail." It is used literally for safety but can imply acting with caution or seeking reliable support in a situation.
  • Dự án mới này rất rủi ro, chúng ta cần phải vịn vào tay vịn. (This new project is very risky; we need to hold onto the handrail.)

noun

1. handrail