tờ hoa
Definition
- Noun:
- Decorated letter paper: A type of writing paper, traditionally used for correspondence, that is ornamented with printed floral designs or patterns.
- Fancy stationery: Refers to high-quality or aesthetically pleasing paper, often with artistic borders, used for formal or poetic letters.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông cụ dùng tờ hoa để viết thư cho bạn cũ. (The old man used decorated letter paper to write to his old friend.)
- Những bức thư tình ngày xưa thường được viết trên tờ hoa. (Love letters in the old days were often written on fancy floral paper.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "tờ hoa" is considered somewhat archaic or literary in modern Vietnamese. It evokes a sense of tradition, refinement, and a bygone era of personal correspondence.
- It is closely associated with the concept of "hoa tiên" (literally "flower fairy" or "floral notebook"), which refers to notebooks or paper for composing poetry, often with decorative elements.
Variants and Related Words
- Giấy hoa tiên (n): Floral or decorative paper for writing poetry or letters. This is a direct synonym and more descriptive phrase.
- Nhà thơ mua giấy hoa tiên về để chép lại các bài thơ. (The poet bought decorative paper to copy down his poems.)
Synonyms
- Decorated stationery: Ornamented writing paper.
- Floral paper: Paper featuring flower designs.
- Fancy letter paper: High-quality paper for correspondence.
Notes on Usage
- "Tờ hoa" is not used in everyday modern contexts. You will encounter it primarily in historical texts, literature, or when describing traditional practices.
- It implies a certain formality and artistic intention behind the act of writing.