Definition

1. Noun (Literary / Archaic):
   • Blades and spears; weapons of war: Refers collectively to edged and pointed weapons like knives, swords, and spears. It symbolizes instruments of combat, warfare, or violence.
   • War; armed conflict: By extension, it represents the state of war, fighting, or military strife.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thời loạn lạc, đao thương khắp nơi. (In times of chaos, blades and spears were everywhere.)
  • Binh lính đã rời bỏ đao thương, trở về quê hương. (The soldiers laid down their weapons and returned to their homeland.)
  • Cuộc chiến kéo dài đã để lại nỗi sợ hãi về đao thương. (The prolonged war left a fear of armed conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in literary, historical, or poetic contexts to evoke imagery of ancient warfare or conflict. It is not used in modern, everyday conversation to refer to contemporary weapons.

Variants and Related Words

• Binh đao (n): A direct synonym, also meaning weapons of war or a state of war.
  • Binh đao nổi lên khắp nước. (War broke out across the country.)

Synonyms

• Weapons: Instruments used for fighting.
• Arms: A synonym for weapons, often used in military contexts.
• Weaponry: Military weapons collectively.

Related Idioms

• Đao thương vô nhãn: Literally "blades and spears have no eyes," meaning weapons are blind and can harm anyone; war is indiscriminate.
  • Hãy nhớ rằng đao thương vô nhãn. (Remember that weapons are indiscriminate.)

1. (văn chương) như binh đao