thông thiên
Definition
- Noun:
- Botanical Name: A common Vietnamese name for plants in the genus Thevetia, particularly Thevetia peruviana, also known as yellow oleander or lucky nut. It is an ornamental shrub or small tree with yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers and lance-shaped leaves.
- Common Name: Often referred to as "yellow oleander" in English. All parts of the plant are highly toxic.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cây thông thiên có hoa màu vàng rất đẹp. (The thông thiên tree has very beautiful yellow flowers.)
- Trồng thông thiên làm cảnh nhưng cần cẩn thận vì cây có độc. (Planting thông thiên for decoration requires caution because the plant is poisonous.)
Advanced Usage
- The name "thông thiên" can sometimes be used in literary contexts to imply a connection to the heavens or something lofty, drawing from the literal meaning of the word ("thông" = penetrate, "thiên" = sky/heaven). However, its primary and most specific usage is botanical.
Variants and Related Words
- Cây thông thiên: The tree/plant.
- Trúc đào vàng: A less common Vietnamese name for the same plant, also meaning yellow oleander.
- Thevetia: The scientific genus name.
Synonyms
- Yellow oleander: The most common English name.
- Lucky nut: Another English common name, referring to its nut-like seeds.
- Botanical name: .
Important Note
- Toxicity Warning: (yellow oleander) is extremely poisonous if ingested. All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides which can be fatal. It should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.