Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Puppet: Used to describe a person, group, or government that appears to be in charge but is actually controlled by a more powerful external force. It implies a lack of genuine, independent authority.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chính phủ bồ nhìn đó chỉ tuân theo mệnh lệnh của nước ngoài. (That puppet government only follows the orders of a foreign country.)
  • Hắn ta chỉ là một tổng thống bồ nhìn. (He is just a puppet president.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "bồ nhìn" is almost exclusively used in a political or controlling context to denote a lack of sovereignty or autonomy. It carries a strong negative connotation of being a sham or a facade.

Variants and Related Words

• Bù nhìn (noun): Scarecrow. While "bồ nhìn" and "bù nhìn" are sometimes used interchangeably in some dialects, "bù nhìn" primarily means a scarecrow in a field. "Bồ nhìn" is the preferred and more specific term for the political meaning of "puppet."
• Chính quyền bồ nhìn (noun phrase): Puppet regime.
• Nhà nước bồ nhìn (noun phrase): Puppet state.

Synonyms

• Bù nhìn (when used in the same political context, though less common).
• Con rối (noun): Literally "puppet" (as in a marionette); can be used metaphorically in similar contexts.

Related Idioms

• Làm bồ nhìn: To act as a puppet; to be a figurehead.
  • Ông ấy không có quyền lực thực sự, chỉ làm bồ nhìn cho tập đoàn lớn. (He has no real power, he just acts as a puppet for the large corporation.)

adjective

1. puppet
   • chính phủ bồ nhìn
     Puppet government