The Vietnamese word "áo" is primarily a noun that translates to "shirt" or "clothes" in English. It refers to various types of upper garments, including jackets, coats, tunics, dresses, and gowns.
"Áo" can be used in different contexts or with additional words to specify types of clothing: - Áo khoác: jacket - Áo lông: fur coat - Áo dài: a traditional Vietnamese dress, often worn by women. - Áo thun: T-shirt - Áo sơ mi: shirt (typically a dress shirt)
Apart from clothing, "áo" can have other meanings in different contexts: - It can refer to a cover or wrapping, such as "áo gối" which means pillowcase. - In a more abstract sense, it can refer to a protective layer, like the "coat" of a pill, which leads to the phrase "viên thuốc bọc đường" (sugar-coated pill).
There are also idiomatic expressions that incorporate "áo": - "Mặc áo lông" means to wear a fur coat, suggesting warmth and comfort. - "Áo rách khéo vá hơn lành vụng may" translates to "a well-mended old jacket is better than an ill-stitched new one," conveying the idea that quality and care in mending are more valuable than a new but poorly made item.