Definition

1. Noun:

   • Literature; written works: Refers to the body of written works, especially those considered to have artistic or intellectual value. This includes poetry, novels, essays, etc.
   • Text; prose; writing style: Denotes a specific piece of writing or a characteristic manner of writing (e.g., elegant prose, administrative style).
   • Civil (as opposed to military): In historical contexts, refers to the civil branch of government or civil officials.

2. Verb (less common):

   • To twist; to twine: To twist strands (like thread) between the fingers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Cô ấy học ngành văn. (She studies literature.)
  • Văn của ông ấy rất bay bổng. (His writing style is very lyrical.)
  • Thời phong kiến có quan văn và quan võ. (In feudal times, there were civil mandarins and military mandarins.)

• Verb:

  • Bà văn sợi chỉ để may áo. (She twisted the thread to sew a shirt.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm văn": to write an essay; to compose a piece of writing.

  • Học sinh đang làm văn nghị luận. (The students are writing an argumentative essay.)

• "cử nhân văn chương": Bachelor of Arts in Literature.

  • Anh ấy vừa nhận bằng cử nhân văn chương. (He just received a Bachelor's degree in Literature.)

Variants and Related Words

• Văn học (n): literature (as an academic field or collective body of work).

  • Văn học Việt Nam rất phong phú. (Vietnamese literature is very rich.)

• Văn chương (n): literature, belles-lettres (often emphasizes artistic quality).

  • Tác phẩm đầy giá trị văn chương. (A work full of literary value.)

• Nhà văn (n): writer, author.

  • Nhà văn đó được nhiều người yêu mến. (That writer is loved by many.)

Synonyms

• Literature: written artistic works.
• Prose: ordinary written language (not poetry).
• Text: the words of a written work.
• Civil: relating to ordinary citizens and non-military affairs.

Related Idioms

• Văn hay chữ tốt: to have excellent writing and beautiful penmanship; used to describe a well-educated, eloquent person.

  • Ông ấy nổi tiếng là người văn hay chữ tốt. (He is famous for being eloquent and well-lettered.)

• Văn võ song toàn: to be proficient in both literary and martial arts; to be well-rounded.

  • Vị tướng ấy thực sự văn võ song toàn. (That general is truly accomplished in both civil and military arts.)