Definition

1. Noun:
   • Servant: A person who performs duties for others, especially in a household, often in a position of subordination.
   • Subordinate, underling: A person who is under the authority or control of another, emphasizing a lower status.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy từng là một đày tớ trung thành trong gia đình quý tộc. (He was once a loyal servant in a noble family.)
  • Trong tư tưởng mới, các quan chức phải là đày tớ của dân. (In the new ideology, officials must be servants of the people.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or historical contexts: The term often appears in historical narratives, classical literature, or formal political rhetoric to denote service and subordination.
  • Tư tưởng "lãnh đạo là đày tớ" được nhấn mạnh trong bài phát biểu. (The idea that "leaders are servants" was emphasized in the speech.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đầy tớ: An alternative, more common modern spelling of the same word.
• Người giúp việc: A more contemporary and neutral term for a domestic helper or housekeeper.
• Kẻ tôi tớ: A literary or archaic term with a similar meaning, sometimes carrying a stronger connotation of servitude.

Synonyms

• Tôi tớ: Servant, vassal (often with a feudal or very formal connotation).
• Người hầu: Attendant, domestic servant.
• Kẻ hầu người hạ: A phrase meaning "servants and underlings."

Related Phrases

• Làm đày tớ (cho ai): To serve as a servant (for someone).
  • Anh ta không muốn làm đày tớ cho bất kỳ ai. (He does not want to serve as a servant for anyone.)

Related Idioms

• Đày tớ trăm họ: Servant of the hundred families (i.e., the people). A classical or political idiom describing an ideal public servant.
  • Vị quan thanh liêm ấy tự xem mình là đày tớ trăm họ. (That incorruptible mandarin considered himself a servant of the people.)

1. Servant
   • Đày tớ của dân
     Servants of the people
2. Agent, hireling