Definition

Noun: - A retinue, entourage, or group (often with a derogatory or dismissive connotation): Refers to a group of people, especially family members or followers, who accompany someone, often implying the group is burdensome, overly large, or looked down upon. - A tribe (of family): Used specifically with "thê tử" to mean one's entire family, including spouse, children, and sometimes extended family, often when they are all traveling or present together.

Usage Examples

• (The boss appeared with a whole retinue of bodyguards.)
• (Wherever he goes, he drags along his whole tribe of family.)
• (Don't bring your whole entourage to my party.)

Advanced Usage

• The word inherently carries a negative or belittling nuance. It is not a neutral term like "nhóm" (group) or "đoàn tùy tùng" (retinue, more formal). It often suggests the speaker views the group as unnecessary, parasitic, or ridiculous.
• It is frequently used in a humorous or sarcastic way to describe one's own family when complaining lightly about their constant presence.
• "bầu đoàn thê tử": This is a fixed, idiomatic phrase meaning "the whole family tribe." "Thê tử" is a classical compound meaning "wife and children."

Variants and Related Words

• Đoàn tùy tùng (noun): Retinue, entourage. This is a more formal and neutral term without the derogatory connotation.
• Bè lũ (noun): Gang, clique. This is a strongly pejorative term for a group of bad people.
• Đám đông (noun): Crowd. A neutral term for a large group of people.

Synonyms

• Đoàn tùy tùng: Entourage, retinue (more neutral).
• Cả nhà: The whole family (neutral and common).
• Cả lũ (derogatory): The whole gang/crew.

Related Idioms

• "bầu đoàn thê tử": As mentioned, this is the most common idiom using this word. It vividly paints a picture of a patriarch/matriarch moving with their entire familial "tribe" in tow.
  • Mua vé máy bay cho bầu đoàn thê tử tốn kém lắm. (Buying plane tickets for the whole family tribe is very expensive.)

noun

1. Retinue (hàm ý coi khinh)
   • bầu đoàn thê tử
     a tribe of family (travelling with somebody)