Definitions

1. Noun:

   • Galvanized steel sheet: A thin sheet of low-carbon steel coated with a layer of zinc to prevent rust, commonly used for roofing, gutters, and containers.
   • (Archaic) A type of ceremonial headdress or crown: In historical or literary contexts, it can refer to a regal headpiece.

2. Verb:

   • To elevate, to raise (physically): To add material to make something higher or more solid.
   • To enhance, to set off (visually or qualitatively): To make a feature (like beauty, quality, or an advantage) stand out more prominently, often through contrast.
   • To revere, to venerate, to proclaim (to a high position): To regard someone as worthy of great respect and honor, or to formally declare/acknowledge them in a high role.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Mái nhà lợp bằng tôn. (The roof is made of corrugated iron.)
  • Anh ấy mua một cái chậu tôn để trồng cây. (He bought a galvanized steel basin to plant trees.)

• Verb:

  • Công nhân đang tôn nền đường lên cao hơn. (The workers are raising the roadbed to make it higher.)
  • Màu áo đỏ tôn làn da của cô ấy. (The red shirt enhances her complexion.)
  • Nhân dân tôn ông ấy làm lãnh tụ. (The people proclaimed him as their leader.)

Advanced Usage

• "tôn lên": To highlight, to accentuate (often used with the verb meaning 'to enhance').

  • Kiến trúc hiện đại tôn lên vẻ cổ kính của ngôi đền. (The modern architecture accentuates the ancient beauty of the temple.)

• "tôn vinh": To honor, to glorify.

  • Lễ hội nhằm tôn vinh những giá trị văn hóa truyền thống. (The festival aims to honor traditional cultural values.)

• "tôn sư trọng đạo": (Idiomatic phrase) To revere the teacher and respect the teaching; a principle of honoring educators.

  • Tôn sư trọng đạo là một truyền thống tốt đẹp của dân tộc. (Revering teachers and respecting their teachings is a fine tradition of our nation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tôn giáo (n): Religion. (Note: This is a compound word where 'tôn' carries the meaning of reverence/worship).
• Tôn kính (v): To respect deeply, to revere.
• Tôn tạo (v): To renovate, to restore (often for historical sites).
• Tôn thờ (v): To worship, to adore (used for deities, ideals, or revered figures).
• Tông (n): Tone (in music or color); lineage, clan. (A homophone with a different meaning).

Synonyms

• Noun (for galvanized sheet):
  • Tôle (French loanword, less common)
• Verb (to elevate physically):
  • Nâng cao, đắp thêm
• Verb (to enhance):
  • Làm nổi bật, tô điểm
• Verb (to revere):
  • Kính trọng, suy tôn

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• tôn trọng: To respect (rules, people, opinions).
  • Mọi người phải tôn trọng luật lệ giao thông. (Everyone must respect the traffic laws.)

Related Idioms

• "Tôn miếu xã tắc": Refers to the ancestral temple and the altar of the earth and grain gods; symbolizes the state and the nation (used in historical/formal contexts).
• "Tôn ti trật tự": Hierarchy and order; the proper order of seniority and social rank.

noun

1. tole