tiên tử
Definition
- Noun:
- A female celestial being; a fairy: A mythical, often immortal, being of great beauty and magical power, originating from Taoist or folk mythology.
- A woman of exceptional beauty: Used poetically or admiringly to describe a woman whose beauty is considered ethereal or otherworldly.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong truyền thuyết, các tiên tử sống trên thiên đình. (In legends, fairies live in the celestial court.)
- Cô dâu trông như một tiên tử giáng trần. (The bride looks like a fairy who has descended to earth.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily literary or poetic. In modern conversational Vietnamese, it is less common and can sound formal or romantic.
- It often appears in fantasy literature, poetry, and songs to evoke an image of pristine, graceful beauty.
Variants and Related Words
- Tiên (n): fairy, celestial being (gender-neutral or male).
- Ông tiên (n): a male immortal or sage.
- Tiên nữ (n): a synonym for "tiên tử," specifically meaning a female fairy or celestial maiden.
Synonyms
- Fairy: A mythical being with magical powers.
- Celestial maiden: A heavenly female being.
- Goddess: A female deity; used in a similar figurative way for a very beautiful woman.
Related Idioms
- Đẹp như tiên: As beautiful as a fairy. A common compliment.
- Cô bé ấy đẹp như tiên. (That little girl is as beautiful as a fairy.)
- Tiên tử giáng trần: A fairy descends to the mortal world. Used to describe a woman of stunning beauty appearing in an ordinary setting.