CAI

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun (Historical/Archaic):

    • Foreman, Overseer: A person in charge of supervising workers, especially in a prison, construction site, or similar setting in the feudal or colonial era.
    • Corporal: A low-ranking non-commissioned officer in the old (feudal or colonial) army.
    • Chief (of a canton): A shortened form of "cai tổng," referring to the chief administrator of a canton (a historical administrative division).
  2. Verb:

    • To give up, to quit, to wean off: To stop using a habitual and often addictive substance, such as a drug, alcohol, or tobacco. It implies a deliberate act of cessation.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Ông cai rất nghiêm khắc. (The prison warder was very strict.)
    • Cai lính chỉ huy một nhóm nhỏ. (The corporal commanded a small group.)
  • Verb:
    • Anh ấy quyết tâm cai thuốc lá. (He is determined to quit smoking.)
    • Bác sĩ khuyên bệnh nhân cai rượu. (The doctor advised the patient to give up alcohol.)
    • Đến lúc cai sữa cho em bé. (It's time to wean the baby.)
Advanced Usage
  • The noun forms (foreman, corporal) are primarily historical. In modern contexts, other words like "giám thị" (supervisor/warden), "hạ " (corporal), or "quản đốc" (foreman) are more commonly used.
  • The verb "cai" is almost exclusively used in the context of breaking an addiction or a deep-seated habit. It is not used for quitting a regular activity like a job or a hobby.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cai tổng (n): Chief of a canton (historical administrative title).
  • Cai thầu (n): (Historical) Head contractor or foreman.
  • Cai trị (v): To rule, to govern (a different word, but sometimes confused due to similarity).
Synonyms
  • Verb: To quit, to stop, to abstain from, to break a habit, to wean off.
  • Noun (Overseer): Warder, guard, supervisor.
  • Noun (Corporal): Non-commissioned officer (NCO).
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Cai nghiện: To undergo detoxification, to be rehabilitated from addiction.
    • Trung tâm cai nghiện ma túy. (A drug rehabilitation center.)
  • Cai sữa: To wean (a baby or young animal from mother's milk).
noun
  1. Corporal
  2. Foreman
  3. Jailkeeper, warder
verb
  1. To give up
    • cai thuốc phiện
      to give up opium smoking
    • cai rượu
      to give up drinking