xướng hoạ
Definition
- Verb:
- To engage in poetic call-and-response: The primary meaning of "xướng hoạ" refers to a traditional literary practice where one poet composes an initial poem (xướng), and another poet responds by composing a matching poem (hoạ) in the same form, using the same rhyme scheme and often on the same theme.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hai nhà thơ ngồi xướng hoạ cả buổi chiều. (The two poets spent the afternoon engaging in poetic call-and-response.)
- Tục xướng hoạ thịnh hành trong các tao đàn xưa. (The practice of poetic call-and-response was popular in old literary circles.)
Advanced Usage
- The term describes a specific, collaborative cultural activity. The response poem ("hoạ") is an artistic echo, demonstrating technical skill and wit by adhering to the strict constraints set by the initial poem.
Variants and Related Words
- Xướng (v): to initiate, to chant, to sing; in this context, to compose the initial poem.
- Hoạ (v): to respond, to match; in this context, to compose the responsive poem.
- Thơ xướng hoạ (n): call-and-response poems; the resulting poetic pair.
Synonyms
- To versify in response: To compose poetry in reply.
- To exchange matching poems: To trade poems created under shared formal constraints.
Related Idioms
- While "xướng hoạ" itself is a specific term, it is central to the idiom "xướng lên, hoạ xuống", which describes the seamless, back-and-forth flow of this poetic exchange.