treo cờ
Definition
Verb phrase:
- To hang a flag: The primary meaning of "treo cờ" is to display a flag by attaching it to a pole, rope, or structure so that it is visible.
- To hoist a flag / to fly a flag: This refers to raising a flag, especially on a flagpole, as a sign of celebration, commemoration, or national identity.
Verb phrase (nautical context):
- To fly a flag / to show colors: In maritime contexts, "treo cờ" means for a ship to display the flag of its country of registration.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nhà nào cũng treo cờ dịp lễ Quốc khánh. (Every house hangs a flag on National Day.)
- Họ treo cờ rủ để tỏ lòng thương tiếc. (They fly the flag at half-mast to show mourning.)
- Nautical context:
- Con tàu đó treo cờ Panama. (That ship flies the Panamanian flag.)
Advanced Usage
"treo cờ rủ": to fly a flag at half-mast.
- Cả nước treo cờ rủ trong ngày quốc tang. (The whole country flew flags at half-mast on the national day of mourning.)
"treo cờ trắng": to fly/show a white flag (indicating surrender or truce).
- Thành trì đã treo cờ trắng đầu hàng. (The fortress raised a white flag to surrender.)
Variants and Related Words
Kéo cờ (v): to raise a flag (often in a ceremonial context, like at a school).
- Học sinh kéo cờ mỗi sáng thứ Hai. (The students raise the flag every Monday morning.)
Hạ cờ (v): to lower a flag.
- Lễ hạ cờ diễn ra vào lúc hoàng hôn. (The flag-lowering ceremony takes place at sunset.)
Synonyms
- Fly a flag: To display a flag on a pole.
- Hoist a flag: To raise a flag up.
- Display a flag: To put a flag in a position where it can be seen.
Related Idioms
Treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó: Literally "to hang a goat's head but sell dog meat"; meaning to engage in false advertising or deception.
- Cửa hàng đó treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó. (That shop is dishonest in its business practices.)
Treo cờ đỏ (colloquial): Literally "to hang a red flag"; can be a slang reference for menstruation.
- Cô ấy nói cô ấy đang "treo cờ đỏ". (She said she's "flying the red flag".)