Definition

Verb: - To serve (a family) on a long-term basis: Refers to the historical practice of a peasant or laborer working as a long-term, live-in servant for a landlord or wealthy family, with compensation typically settled annually.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông nội tôi ngày xưa phải đi ở năm cho một địa chủ giàu có. (My grandfather had to work as a long-term servant for a wealthy landlord in the past.)
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, nhiều nông dân nghèo không có ruộng đã chọn cách ở năm để kiếm sống. (In feudal society, many poor peasants with no land chose to serve long-term to make a living.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily historical and socio-economic, describing a specific type of labor relationship in pre-modern Vietnamese agrarian society. It implies a state of dependency and often hardship.
• It is rarely used in contemporary contexts except when discussing history or literature.

Variants and Related Words

• Ở đợ: To work as a short-term servant or hired hand. This is a related but distinct term, implying shorter and less formal employment than "ở năm".
• Làm thuê: To work as a hired laborer. A more general modern term for being employed, without the connotation of living-in or annual settlement.

Synonyms

• Phục dịch dài hạn: To serve/attend to long-term. (More formal/descriptive)
• Làm tôi tớ dài hạn: To work as a long-term servant. (Emphasizes the servitude)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "ở năm" is compound, formed from "ở" (to reside, to live at) and "năm" (year). Its core meaning is inseparable from this compound form, denoting residing and working for a master for a period of years, with annual payment.
• It specifically refers to a live-in servant, not a daily commuter.
• The compensation was often in kind (e.g., rice, housing) rather than just cash.

1. Serve (a family) on a long-term basis