tinh kỳ
Definition
- Noun (archaic):
- A flag; a banner; a standard: A piece of cloth, often attached to a pole, used as a symbol, signal, or decoration, especially in historical or literary contexts.
- The wedding day (obsolete usage): Refers specifically to the day of marriage, derived from ancient wedding customs where the bride was welcomed in the evening.
Usage Examples
- Noun (flag):
- Bác đồng chật đất, tinh kỳ rợp sân. (Bronze vessels filled the ground, flags and banners covered the courtyard.)
- Noun (wedding day - obsolete):
- Tinh kỳ đã định, hai họ đều vui mừng. (The wedding day was set, and both families were joyful.)
Advanced Usage
- This word is primarily found in classical Vietnamese poetry and historical texts. Its meaning as "wedding day" is now largely obsolete and unknown to most modern speakers, who would use "ngày cưới" or "ngày thành hôn" instead. The meaning of "flag" is also archaic.
Variants and Related Words
- Cờ: The modern, common word for flag, banner, or pennant.
- Lá cờ: A common phrase for a single flag.
- Ngày cưới: The modern term for wedding day.
- Ngày thành hôn: A formal term for wedding day.
Synonyms
- Flag / Banner / Standard: A piece of fabric symbolizing a group or nation.
- Wedding day / Nuptials (for the obsolete meaning): The day on which a marriage is celebrated.
Notes on Usage
- "Tinh kỳ" is an archaic literary term. It is not used in contemporary spoken or written Vietnamese outside of quoting classical literature or historical documents. Learners should understand it as a vocabulary item encountered in reading older texts.