Hịch tướng sĩ

Definition

  1. Proper Noun:

    • "Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers": A famous historical document and literary work written in Classical Chinese by the Vietnamese military commander Trần Quốc Tuấn (also known as Trần Hưng Đạo) on the eve of the second Mongol invasion of Đại Việt in 1285. It is a rallying cry and motivational proclamation intended to stir patriotism and martial spirit among the Trần dynasty's military officers and soldiers.

  2. Noun (as a concept):

    • A type of exhortative proclamation: In a historical context, a "hịch" is a genre of formal, persuasive writing used to mobilize troops or the populace. "Hịch tướng sĩ" is the most renowned example of this genre in Vietnamese history, embodying its core characteristics of exposing enemy crimes, criticizing complacency, warning of consequences, and urging preparation and unity.
Usage Examples

  • Proper Noun:

    • Hịch tướng sĩ là một áng văn bất hủ trong lịch sử Việt Nam. ("Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers" is an immortal literary work in Vietnamese history.)
    • Trần Hưng Đạo viết Hịch tướng sĩ để khích lệ tinh thần quân đội. (Trần Hưng Đạo wrote the "Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers" to encourage the army's morale.)

  • Noun:

    • Bài hịch tướng sĩ đó đã được đọc trước toàn quân. (That proclamation to the officers and soldiers was read before the entire army.)
Advanced Usage
  • The document is often cited in modern contexts as a symbol of national resilience, strategic leadership, and the power of words to unite people against a common threat. It is studied both as a historical primary source and as a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature and political rhetoric.
Variants and Related Words
  • Hịch (n): A proclamation; an exhortative edict (often military).
    • Vị tướng soạn một bài hịch đanh thép. (The general drafted a stern proclamation.)
Synonyms
  • Proclamation: A public or official announcement.
  • Exhortation: An address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.
  • Manifesto: A public declaration of policy and aims.
  • Rallying cry: A word or phrase used to unite people in support of a common cause.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Tinh thần Hịch tướng sĩ (The spirit of the Proclamation): Refers to the ethos of patriotism, hatred for the enemy, combat readiness, and the will to fight and win as encapsulated in the document.
    • Chúng ta cần phát huy tinh thần Hịch tướng sĩ trong công cuộc bảo vệ đất nước. (We need to promote the spirit of the "Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers" in the cause of defending the nation.)