Definition

1. Danh từ:

   • Night heron: A type of wading bird with long legs, belonging to the same family as herons and egrets, known for being active and calling loudly at night.
   • Cauldron / Large pot: A large, deep metal vessel, similar to a big pan or wok, used for cooking, especially for boiling liquids like oil. Historically, it can also refer to a large ceremonial bronze tripod (đỉnh).
   • Bed frame / Bedstead: A frame, often made of bamboo or wood, that supports a bed's mattress.

2. Động từ:

   • To carve / to whittle: To cut or shape something, especially wood or bone, by slicing off thin, long pieces with a sharp blade held at an angle.
   • To be nearly extinguished (for embers/fire): Describes the state of charcoal or firewood burning down, glowing without visible flames.

Usage Examples

• Danh từ:

  • Tiếng con vạc kêu trong đêm. (The cry of a night heron in the night.)
  • Người ta dùng chiếc vạc lớn để nấu cháo. (They use a large cauldron to cook porridge.)
  • Chiếc vạc giường bằng tre rất chắc chắn. (The bamboo bed frame is very sturdy.)

• Động từ:

  • Ông ấy vạc một khúc gỗ để làm tượng. (He carved a piece of wood to make a statue.)
  • Lửa trong bếp đã vạc, chỉ còn than hồng. (The fire in the stove has nearly gone out, only embers remain.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thế chân vạc": A tripod stance; a situation involving three strong, balanced, and interdependent forces or parties.

  • Ba công ty lớn tạo nên thế chân vạc trong ngành. (The three large companies form a tripod balance of power in the industry.)

• "Hết nạc vạc đến xương": An idiom meaning to exploit someone thoroughly, squeezing them dry (lit., after the meat is gone, you carve to the bone).

  • Bọn cho vay nặng lãi hết nạc vạc đến xương. (The loan sharks squeeze every last drop from their victims.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vạc dầu (n): An oil cauldron (often associated with ancient punishments).
• Đúc vạc đồng (v): To cast a bronze cauldron.

Synonyms

• Night heron: A nocturnal bird.
• Cauldron: A large pot for boiling.
• To carve: To cut or shape material.
• To whittle: To carve wood.
• To smolder: To burn slowly without flame (for the ember sense).

Related Idioms

• "Thờ vạc Hán": To serve the Han dynasty; by extension, to be loyal to a ruling power or regime.
  • Câu chuyện về kẻ thờ vạc Hán. (The story of one who serves the ruling power.)

noun

1. night heron

verb

1. to carve