xe xích-lô
Definition
- Noun:
- Cyclos, pedicab, rickshaw: A small, light, three-wheeled passenger vehicle for hire, typically powered by a person pedaling from the front or rear. It consists of a seat for one or two passengers at the front or in the middle, and a driver's seat at the back or front with pedals and handlebars.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Du khách thích ngồi xe xích-lô để ngắm phố phường. (Tourists like to ride in a cyclo to see the streets.)
- Anh ấy kiếm sống bằng nghề đạp xe xích-lô. (He makes a living by driving a pedicab.)
- Hãy gọi một chiếc xe xích-lô để đi đến chợ. (Let's hail a cyclo to go to the market.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "xe xích-lô" is a Vietnamese loanword derived from the French "cyclo-pousse." It is most commonly associated with the iconic Vietnamese design where the driver sits behind the passengers.
- It is often used in historical or cultural contexts related to Vietnamese cities, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Variants and Related Words
- Xích lô (n): A common shortened form of "xe xích-lô."
- Chúng tôi thuê một chiếc xích lô. (We hired a cyclo.)
- Cyclo (n): The direct English loanword used internationally to refer specifically to the Vietnamese passenger tricycle.
Synonyms
- Pedicab: A general term for a three-wheeled passenger bicycle.
- Rickshaw: A broader term for a two or three-wheeled passenger cart, which can be pulled by a person (jinrikisha) or be cycle-powered.
- Trishaw: Another term for a pedal-powered three-wheeled passenger vehicle, common in Southeast Asia.
Related Idioms
- Cơm thầy cơm cô, xe xích-lô xe bò: A saying highlighting social hierarchy, comparing the different statuses of a teacher's meal, a nun's meal, a cyclo, and an ox-cart. It implies things that appear similar can belong to very different classes or levels.