Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large character: A character written in a large size, typically in calligraphy or signage.
   • A major, prominent, or important character: Can refer to a character that is significant or stands out, often in a literary or symbolic context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trên bức tường có viết một đại tự "Phúc". (On the wall, there is a large character "Phúc" written.)
  • Ông ấy là một đại tự trong làng thư pháp. (He is a major/master character in the calligraphy village.)

Advanced Usage

• "đại tự" in classical contexts: In classical Sino-Vietnamese literature or philosophy, it can metaphorically refer to a fundamental principle or a great concept.
  • "Nhân" là một đại tự trong học thuyết của Khổng Tử. ("Benevolence" is a great/central concept in Confucius's doctrine.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đại tự pháp (n): The art or method of writing large calligraphic characters.
• Thư pháp đại tự (n): Large-character calligraphy.

Synonyms

• Chữ lớn (n): Big/large character (more common, less formal).
• Đại tự is more formal and often used in artistic or literary contexts compared to chữ lớn.

Related Phrases

• Viết đại tự: To write large characters.
  • Nghệ nhân đang viết đại tự để treo Tết. (The artisan is writing large characters to hang for Tet.)

Related Idioms

• Làm nên đại tự: To accomplish something great or significant; to make a name for oneself (figurative, less common).
  • Anh ấy đã làm nên đại tự trong ngành công nghệ. (He has made a great name for himself in the technology industry.)

1. Big character, big calligraphic sing