Definition

Noun: - Chieftain; ringleader: The person who leads or is at the head of a group, especially one involved in illicit, illegal, or rebellious activities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cảnh sát đã bắt được tên đầu đảng của băng nhóm tội phạm. (The police captured the ringleader of the criminal gang.)
  • Hắn là đầu đảng của một tổ chức phản động. (He is the chieftain of a reactionary organization.)

Advanced Usage

• The term đầu đảng carries a strong negative connotation and is almost exclusively used for the leader of a group perceived as harmful, unlawful, or subversive. It is not used for leaders of legitimate organizations or political parties in a neutral or positive sense.

Variants and Related Words

• Thủ lĩnh (noun): Leader, chief. This is a more general and neutral term for a leader, which can be used for both legitimate and illegitimate groups.
• Trùm (noun): Boss, kingpin. Often used similarly to đầu đảng for crime syndicates (e.g., - drug lord).
• Kẻ cầm đầu (noun phrase): Ringleader. A descriptive phrase with the same meaning as đầu đảng.

Synonyms

• Kẻ chủ mưu: Instigator, mastermind (emphasizes planning).
• Thủ phạm chính: Main culprit.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Đầu sỏ (noun): A synonym for đầu đảng, also meaning ringleader or top boss, often in a criminal or corrupt context.

noun

1. chieftain; ringleader