đi lính
Definition
- Verb (phrase):
- To become a soldier / to enlist: The phrase "đi lính" means to join the military, to become a soldier, or to go off to serve in the army. It implies the action of leaving civilian life to begin military service.
- To go soldiering (archaic): An older, more literal translation meaning to go and be a soldier, often involving the idea of campaigning or life as a soldier.
Usage Examples
- Verb (phrase):
- Anh trai tôi quyết định đi lính. (My older brother decided to join the army.)
- Thời thanh niên, ông nội tôi đã đi lính. (In his youth, my grandfather went soldiering.)
- Sau khi tốt nghiệp, cậu ấy sẽ đi lính. (After graduation, he will enlist.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can carry connotations of duty, patriotism, or a significant life change. It is often used in historical or biographical contexts.
- typically refers to voluntary enlistment or conscription into the national army, not specifically to becoming an officer.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhập ngũ (v): a more formal synonym for "to enlist" or "to be drafted".
- Anh ấy đã nhập ngũ vào tháng trước. (He was enlisted last month.)
- Lính (n): soldier.
- Người lính đó rất dũng cảm. (That soldier is very brave.)
Synonyms
- Enlist: to enroll or be enrolled in the armed services.
- Join the army: to become a member of the army.
- Serve in the military: to perform duties as part of the armed forces.
Related Idioms
- Đi bộ đội: a common, colloquial synonym with the same meaning, specifically referencing the Vietnamese People's Army.
- Thanh niên trong làng hăng hái đi bộ đội. (The young men in the village enthusiastically joined the army.)
-
(cũ) Go soldiering
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
