Definition

Noun: * Midwife: A woman whose profession is to assist women during childbirth.

Usage

• The word "bà đỡ" is a specific term for a female birth attendant. It is a traditional and common term in Vietnamese.
• It is used to refer to the person providing care and support during labor and delivery.

Examples

• (In the past, midwives often had a lot of folk experience.)
• (She wants to become a midwife to help mothers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be used metaphorically in a broader sense to mean a facilitator or someone who helps bring something into existence, though this is less common than the literal meaning.
  • Ông ấy được coi là bà đỡ cho nhiều ý tưởng sáng tạo trong công ty. (He is considered the midwife for many creative ideas in the company.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nữ hộ sinh: This is a more formal, professional, and modern term for "midwife," directly equivalent to "bà đỡ."
• Người đỡ đẻ: A neutral, descriptive phrase meaning "the person who assists in childbirth." It can refer to anyone (male or female, professional or not) in that role.

Synonyms

• Nữ hộ sinh: (Formal) Midwife.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "bà đỡ" specifically denotes a female practitioner. For a male in this profession, the term "nam hộ sinh" (male midwife) is used.
• It carries a traditional connotation, often associated with community-based, non-hospital settings, though it is still widely understood and used today.

noun

1. Midwife