Vietnamese edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Sino-Vietnamese word from (fire) and (gem/pearl).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

hoả châu

  1. a flare (a type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion, used for distress signaling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures)
    Synonym: pháo sáng
    • 1978, Chu Lai, chapter 2, in Nắng đồng bằng, NXB Quân đội Nhân dân:
      Những trái hỏa châu cuối cùng cũng vừa tắt. Rừng lại trở về với màn đêm bưng bít.
      The last flares finally also went out. The forest returned to oppressive night.
  2. a type of flower (likely of the genus Banksia but sometimes considered a Chrysanthemum).
  3. (obsolete) the moon