xe hòm
Definition
- Noun:
- A limousine; a sedan: A closed, luxurious automobile, typically with a separate compartment for the driver. Historically, it referred to a formal, often chauffeur-driven car.
- A hearse: A vehicle used for carrying a coffin during a funeral procession. This is a common and specific modern usage.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đám tang có một chiếc xe hòm rất lớn. (The funeral had a very large hearse.)
- Trong những năm 1930, chiếc xe hòm là biểu tượng của sự giàu có. (In the 1930s, the limousine was a symbol of wealth.)
Advanced Usage
- The meaning is highly dependent on context. Without clear context, "xe hòm" can be ambiguous, referring either to a formal luxury car or a funeral vehicle. The surrounding words (e.g., - funeral) usually clarify the intended meaning.
Variants and Related Words
Xe tang: A more direct and common synonym for a hearse.
- Xe tang đi đầu trong đoàn diễu hành. (The hearse led the procession.)
Limousine: A modern English loanword used in Vietnamese for a luxury stretch car.
- Cô dâu chú rể thuê một chiếc limousine trắng. (The bride and groom rented a white limousine.)
Synonyms
- Hearse: A vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral.
- Limousine: A large, luxurious automobile, especially one driven by a chauffeur.
Notes on Usage
- In contemporary Vietnamese, "xe hòm" is most frequently understood and used to mean hearse. The meaning of "limousine" or "sedan" is now largely historical or literary. When referring to a luxury car, the English loanword "limousine" is more common.