thủy

Thủy ngân được dùng trong nhiệt kế.

Definition

1. Noun (Literary / Compound Element):

   • Water (as an element or concept): In classical philosophy and compound words, "thủy" refers to the element of water, one of the five fundamental elements (ngũ hành: metal, wood, water, fire, earth). It symbolizes fluidity, adaptability, and the north direction.
   • Mercury (quicksilver): Used as a shortened form of "thủy ngân" (Hg), the liquid metallic element.

2. Adjective (Literary, in fixed phrases):

   • Faithful, steadfast (in relationships): Used in the classical idiom "thủy chung" to denote constancy and loyalty from beginning to end.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Trong ngũ hành, hành Thủy tương sinh với hành Mộc. (In the five elements, the Water element generates the Wood element.)
  • Nhiệt kế dùng thủy ngân để đo nhiệt độ. (A thermometer uses mercury to measure temperature.)

• Adjective:

  • Tình bạn của họ thật thủy chung. (Their friendship is truly steadfast and faithful.)

Advanced Usage

• "thủy" as a bound morpheme: Rarely used alone in modern Vietnamese outside of compound words or classical contexts. Its primary function is as a word-forming element.
  • Thủy triều lên xuống mỗi ngày. (The tide rises and falls every day.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thủy ngân (n): Mercury (the chemical element).
• Thủy triều (n): Tide.
• Thủy thủ (n): Sailor, seaman.
• Thủy lợi (n): Irrigation, water conservancy.
• Thủy chung (adj): Faithful, constant, loyal from start to finish.
• Thủy tinh (n): Glass; or crystal (literally "essence of water").

Synonyms

• Nước: Water (the common, standalone word for water in Vietnamese).
• Thủy ngân: Mercury (full term).
• Chung thủy / Thủy chung: Faithful, loyal.

Related Idioms

• Có thủy có chung: To be constant and faithful; to have both a beginning ("thủy") and an end ("chung"), implying enduring loyalty.
  • Làm người phải sống có thủy có chung. (One must live with constancy and faithfulness.)