vải mảnh
Definition
- Noun:
- A piece of fabric / A swatch of cloth: A small, separate piece of fabric, often cut from a larger roll or bolt. It is typically used for samples, patches, or small sewing projects.
- A coupon (archaic/commercial): In historical or specific commercial contexts, it can refer to a detachable ticket or certificate, often one that could be exchanged for goods (like fabric), similar to the meaning of "coupon."
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy dùng một mảnh vải mảnh để thử máy may. (She used a piece of fabric to test the sewing machine.)
- Tôi cần một vải mảnh nhỏ để vá lỗ trên áo. (I need a small swatch of cloth to patch the hole in the shirt.)
- Cửa hàng phát vải mảnh cho khách hàng xem chất liệu. (The store gives out fabric samples for customers to see the material.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is somewhat dated and specific. In modern Vietnamese, "mẫu vải" (fabric sample) is more common for a sample, and "miếng vải" or "mảnh vải" is more common for a general piece of cloth. "Vải mảnh" often implies a piece that is deliberately cut or separated.
Variants and Related Words
- Mảnh vải (n): A piece of cloth. This is the more standard and frequently used inverted form of "vải mảnh."
- Miếng vải (n): A piece of fabric (similar to mảnh vải).
- Mẫu vải (n): A fabric sample or swatch.
- Vải vụn (n): Scrap fabric or cloth remnants.
Synonyms
- Swatch: A small sample of fabric.
- Piece of cloth: A portion of textile material.
- Remnant: A leftover piece of fabric from a larger bolt.
- Coupon (in specific contexts): A voucher or ticket.
Notes on Usage
- The primary contemporary understanding is a small piece of fabric. The "coupon" meaning is largely archaic and stems from a time when such tickets might be exchanged for goods like cloth.
- It is recommended to use the more common terms "mảnh vải" or "miếng vải" for clarity in everyday language.