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trúc mai

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Vietnamese

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Sino-Vietnamese word from (bamboo) and (plum, apricot).

See also thanh mai trúc mã.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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trúc mai

  1. (archaic, literary, figurative) an intimate bond
    • 15th century, Nguyễn Trãi, “自述 Tự thuật 8”, in Quốc âm thi tập (國音詩集):
      𫫵猿鶴嗔方解俗
      竹梅結伴知音
      Rủ vượn hạc, xin phương giải tục,
      Quyến trúc mai, kết bạn tri âm.
      Invited the monkey and the crane, to ask them how to detach myself from worldly matters,
      Sought the bamboo and the plum, to make a friend who could share my thoughts.