Definition

1. Verb:
   • To arrest, to detain, to imprison: An archaic or literary term meaning to take someone into custody by legal authority, or to confine someone, especially in a prison. It implies a formal act of deprivation of liberty.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Kẻ phạm tội đã bị câu giam. (The criminal was arrested/imprisoned.)
  • Quan lại cũ có thể tùy tiện câu giam người dân. (Officials in the old days could arbitrarily detain citizens.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is marked as archaic (từ cũ) and is rarely used in modern, everyday Vietnamese. It is primarily found in historical texts, legal documents from the past, or literary works to evoke a historical or formal context.
• It carries a formal and somewhat severe connotation, emphasizing the act of confinement by authority.

Variants and Related Words

• Bắt giam (verb): To arrest and imprison. This is the modern, more commonly used equivalent.
• Giam giữ (verb): To detain, to hold in custody.
• Bắt giữ (verb): To apprehend, to take into custody.
• Tù đày (verb): To sentence to prison, to exile (often implies a heavier punishment).

Synonyms

• Bắt: To catch, to arrest (more general).
• Tống giam: To imprison, to put in jail.
• Giam cầm: To hold captive, to imprison (can be used literally or figuratively).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Related Idioms

1. (từ cũ) Arrest, detain, imprision