Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Ba Zhang: The courtesy name (字 - tự) of Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Lão Tử, tên thật là Lý Nhĩ, tên tự là Bá Chương. (Laozi, whose real name was Li Er, had the courtesy name Ba Zhang.)
  • Bá Chương là một nhân vật quan trọng trong lịch sử tư tưởng Trung Hoa. (Ba Zhang is an important figure in the history of Chinese thought.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is used almost exclusively in historical, philosophical, or classical literary contexts when referring to Laozi with formal precision.

Variants and Related Words

• Lão Tử (Proper noun): Laozi, the more common name for the philosopher.
• Lý Nhĩ (Proper noun): Li Er, the reputed personal name of Laozi.
• Đạo Đức Kinh (Proper noun): , the classic text attributed to Laozi.

Synonyms

• Courtesy name: An alternative name given to a person upon adulthood in traditional Chinese culture, used in formal or respectful situations.
• Zi (字): The Chinese term for "courtesy name."

Notes on Usage

• "Bá Chương" is a specialized historical term. In most general discussions about Taoism, the name "Laozi" is used.
• The term is not used in modern Vietnamese outside of scholarly references to classical Chinese history or philosophy.