thành đồng
Definition
- Noun:
- A citadel of brass; an impregnable fortress: A metaphorical term describing an extremely strong, secure, and unassailable defensive stronghold or bastion.
- A bulwark; a bastion: Figuratively, a person, place, or thing that serves as a powerful and steadfast defense or protector for a cause, country, or ideal.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nam Bộ là thành đồng của Tổ quốc. (The Southern region is the brass citadel of the Fatherland.)
- Người lính ấy đứng như một thành đồng, bảo vệ đồng đội. (That soldier stood like an impregnable fortress, protecting his comrades.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in formal, literary, or patriotic contexts to evoke imagery of ultimate strength and resilience. It is a classical metaphor, not used for describing literal, physical fortresses made of brass.
Variants and Related Words
- Thành trì (n): fortress, stronghold (can be used both literally and figuratively).
- Thành trì kiên cố. (A solid stronghold.)
- Pháo đài (n): fortress, citadel (typically more literal).
- Pháo đài bất khả xâm phạm. (An impregnable fortress.)
Synonyms
- Impregnable fortress
- Bulwark
- Bastion
- Stronghold
Related Idioms
- Vững như thành đồng: As solid as a brass citadel; meaning extremely firm, steadfast, and unshakable.
- Tinh thần đoàn kết của họ vững như thành đồng. (Their spirit of solidarity is as solid as a brass citadel.)