trình làng
Definition
Verb (idiomatic):
- To be introduced / to make a debut: The primary modern meaning of "trình làng" refers to the formal introduction or debut of a new product, work of art, or person to the public for the first time.
- To be launched / to be unveiled: It describes the act of presenting something new and completed to an audience or the market.
Verb (historical, in card games):
- To play four soldiers of the same color at the start of a round: In the traditional Vietnamese card game "Tam Cúc," it specifically means to play all four "tốt" (soldier) cards of the same suit at the very beginning of a round.
Usage Examples
- Verb (modern usage):
- Mẫu xe điện mới sẽ được trình làng vào tuần tới. (The new electric car model will be launched next week.)
- Bộ phim đã trình làng tại liên hoan phim quốc tế. (The film debuted at an international film festival.)
- Verb (card game usage):
- Anh ấy tứ tử trình làng và giành quyền cướp cái. (He played four soldiers to debut and won the right to lead the next round.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in formal, promotional, or artistic contexts (e.g., technology, fashion, cinema) to add a sense of ceremony and importance to a launch.
- It implies a finished product being presented to its intended audience or consumers, not just a prototype or idea.
Variants and Related Words
- Ra mắt (v): to launch, to debut. This is a very close synonym in modern usage.
- Sản phẩm ra mắt thị trường. (The product was launched on the market.)
Synonyms
- To debut: to make a first public appearance.
- To launch: to introduce something new to the market.
- To unveil: to show something publicly for the first time.
- To present: to formally show or introduce.
Related Idioms
- Tứ tử trình làng: This specific phrase from "Tam Cúc" has entered general language, sometimes used metaphorically to mean starting something with a strong, pre-planned move.
- Chiến dịch quảng cáo của họ như tứ tử trình làng, gây ấn tượng ngay lập tức. (Their advertising campaign was like a four-soldier debut, making an impression immediately.)