Definition

Noun: 1. Epic (poem): A long narrative poem, typically detailing the heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. It is a major literary form. 2. Epic (song): In modern Vietnamese, it can also refer to a long, grand, and heroic musical composition, often with symphonic elements, celebrating historical events, national struggles, or significant ideals.

Usage Examples

• As a narrative poem:
  • "Sử thi 'Đăm Săn' là một trường ca nổi tiếng của người Ê-đê." (The epic 'Dam San' is a famous epic poem of the Ede people.)
  • "Homer là tác giả của hai trường ca vĩ đại 'Iliad' và 'Odyssey'." (Homer is the author of the two great epics 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'.)
• As a musical composition:
  • "Nhạc sĩ Văn Cao đã sáng tác trường ca 'Sông Lô'." (Composer Van Cao created the epic (song) 'The Lo River'.)
  • "Trường ca 'Bài ca Hồ Chí Minh' được biểu diễn bởi dàn hợp xướng và dàn nhạc giao hưởng." (The epic (song) 'The Song of Ho Chi Minh' was performed by a choir and a symphony orchestra.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe any long, grand, and emotionally charged sequence of real-life events.
  • "Cuộc đời ông ấy là một trường ca về lòng dũng cảm và sự hy sinh." (His life is an epic of courage and sacrifice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sử thi (n): Epic. This is a more direct synonym, especially for the ancient, traditional narrative form. and are often used interchangeably for literary epics.
• Trường đoản cú (n): A rarely used, more classical term for a long poem or song.
• Trường thiên (adj/n): Used as an adjective meaning "very long" (e.g., - a very long novel), or as a noun for a long poem.

Synonyms

• Epic poem: (Thơ) sử thi.
• Heroic poem: Bài thơ anh hùng ca.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Tinh thần trường ca: An epic spirit. This phrase describes a grand, heroic, and inspiring atmosphere or quality.
  • "Bộ phim mang đậm tinh thần trường ca về cuộc chiến tranh vệ quốc." (The film carries a strong epic spirit about the patriotic war.)

noun

1. epic