Definition

1. Noun:
   • Culture: The most common meaning of "văn hóa" refers to the total complex of knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of a society. It encompasses both material and spiritual values created throughout history.
   • Civilization / Refinement: "Văn hóa" can denote a high level of social development and polite, civilized behavior.
   • Education / General Knowledge: In a more specific context, it refers to general knowledge or academic learning.
   • Archaeological Culture: In specialized (archaeological) use, it denotes the distinct material culture of a specific ancient historical period.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Việt Nam có một nền văn hóa lâu đời và phong phú. (Vietnam has a long and rich culture.)
  • Anh ấy là một người rất có văn hóa. (He is a very civilized/refined person.)
  • Cô ấy đang theo học các lớp bổ túc văn hóa. (She is taking general education supplement classes.)
  • Văn hóa Đông Sơn nổi tiếng với những trống đồng. (The Dong Son culture is famous for its bronze drums.)

Advanced Usage

• "văn hóa ứng xử": culture of behavior, etiquette.

  • Văn hóa ứng xử nơi công sở rất quan trọng. (Workplace etiquette is very important.)

• "sống có văn hóa": to live in a civilized manner.

  • Mọi công dân cần phải sống có văn hóa. (All citizens need to live in a civilized manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Văn hóa phẩm (n): cultural product.

  • Các văn hóa phẩm này được nhập khẩu hợp pháp. (These cultural products are imported legally.)

• Giao lưu văn hóa (n): cultural exchange.

  • Chương trình giao lưu văn hóa giữa hai nước. (A cultural exchange program between the two countries.)

Synonyms

• Culture: The customs, arts, and social institutions of a particular group.
• Civilization: An advanced state of human social development.
• Refinement: Polished manners and good taste.

Related Idioms

• Thiếu văn hóa: to be uncultured, to lack manners.

  • Hành động đó thật thiếu văn hóa. (That action is very uncultured.)

• Văn hóa làng: village culture (often implying traditional, sometimes insular, customs).

  • Tư tưởng văn hóa làng đôi khi cản trở sự phát triển. (Village culture mentality sometimes hinders development.)

noun

1. culture