Definition

1. Proper Noun:
   • Annam: A historical name for Vietnam, primarily used during periods of foreign domination, notably by China and France. It refers to a specific geographical and political entity within the historical region of Indochina.

Usage Examples

• Proper Noun:
  • "An Nam" là tên gọi của Việt Nam thời phong kiến. ("An Nam" was the name of Vietnam during the feudal period.)
  • Người Pháp đã cai trị khu vực Đông Dương, bao gồm An Nam. (The French ruled the Indochina region, including Annam.)

Advanced Usage

• "An Nam tứ đại khí": Refers to the "Four Great Treasures of Annam," a cultural concept denoting four legendary artifacts of ancient Vietnam.
  • Truyền thuyết kể về An Nam tứ đại khí. (Legends tell of the Four Great Treasures of Annam.)

Variants and Related Words

• An Nam Đô Hộ Phủ (Proper Noun): The "Protectorate of Annam," the administrative name for the Chinese-controlled territory in Vietnam.

  • Lịch sử ghi nhận thời kỳ An Nam Đô Hộ Phủ. (History records the period of the Protectorate of Annam.)

• Trung Kỳ (Proper Noun): "Annam" was also the name for Central Vietnam (Trung Kỳ) during the French colonial period, as distinct from Tonkin (Bắc Kỳ) and Cochinchina (Nam Kỳ).

Synonyms

• Annam: The direct English transliteration of "An Nam."
• Central Vietnam: Refers to the geographical region historically called Annam during the colonial era.

Related Terms and Context

• Historical Term: "An Nam" is now primarily a historical term. The modern official name is "Việt Nam" (Vietnam). Its use in contemporary contexts typically refers to history.
• Derogatory Connotation: The term "An Nam" can sometimes carry a derogatory nuance when used in modern times, as it recalls periods of subjugation. The term "người An Nam" (Annamese) for the people was used administratively by colonial powers.

1. Vietnam was named An Nam under the Chinese and French dominations