Definition

1. Verb (archaic):
   • To enlist in the army; to join the military: The primary meaning refers to the act of voluntarily signing up or enrolling to become a soldier.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông nội tôi đã đầu quân năm 18 tuổi. (My grandfather enlisted in the army at age 18.)
  • Nhiều thanh niên hăng hái đầu quân để bảo vệ đất nước. (Many young men enthusiastically enlisted to protect the country.)

Advanced Usage

• In modern, figurative use, "đầu quân" can sometimes mean to join a company, organization, or team, implying a formal commitment similar to enlisting.
  • Cô ấy vừa đầu quân cho một công ty công nghệ lớn. (She just joined/enlisted with a major technology company.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhập ngũ (v): to enter military service (the modern, standard term).
  • Anh trai tôi sắp phải nhập ngũ. (My older brother is about to enter military service.)

Synonyms

• Enlist: to enroll for military service.
• Join up: to become a member of the armed forces.
• Sign up: to commit oneself to a course of action, especially military service.

Related Idioms

• While "đầu quân" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, its figurative use conveys the idea of pledging one's service or allegiance to a new group or cause.

1. (cũ)Go into the army, enlist