Definition

Noun: 1. A virgin; a maiden: Refers to a young woman who has not had sexual intercourse. This is the primary and most common meaning. 2. (Botany) Mimosa pudica; sensitive plant: Refers to a wild plant, often forming large bushes, with small thorns, leaves that fold when touched, and purple flower clusters. It is also commonly known as the "shame plant" or "touch-me-not."

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • Trong một số nền văn hóa, trinh nữ được tôn trọng. (In some cultures, a virgin is respected.)
  • Câu chuyện kể về một trinh nữ xinh đẹp. (The story is about a beautiful maiden.)
• Noun (Plant):
  • Lá cây trinh nữ cụp lại khi bạn chạm vào. (The leaves of the sensitive plant close up when you touch them.)
  • Bà tôi thường dùng cây trinh nữ để làm thuốc an thần. (My grandmother often uses the mimosa plant to make a sedative medicine.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is formal and literary when referring to a person. In modern, everyday conversation, phrases like "còn trinh" (to still be a virgin) are more common.
• In historical or religious contexts (e.g., referring to the Virgin Mary - ), "trinh nữ" carries a sacred and venerable connotation.

Variants and Related Words

• Đồng trinh (adj): Virgin, chaste (used as an adjective, e.g., - a chaste person).
• Trinh tiết (n): Virginity, chastity.
• Xấu hổ (n): A common Vietnamese name for the plant, meaning "shy" or "ashamed," describing its reactive leaves.
• Mi-mô-da (n): A phonetic transliteration of "mimosa" for the plant.

Synonyms

• For the person: Gái trinh (virgin girl - more colloquial), thiếu nữ đồng trinh (young virgin woman - more descriptive).
• For the plant: Cây xấu hổ, cây mắc cỡ, mi-mô-da.

Notes on Different Meanings

It is crucial to distinguish between the two primary meanings based on context: 1. The human-related meaning is used in social, cultural, or literary contexts. 2. The botanical meaning is used in biological, gardening, or traditional medicine contexts. The context (e.g., talking about plants, leaves, or herbs) will immediately clarify this meaning.

noun

1. virgin