cường hào
Definition
- Noun:
- A tyrannical notable (in traditional villages): A person, typically a local landlord or village elder, who abuses power and authority to oppress and exploit peasants.
- A local despot / bully: A powerful and oppressive figure in a rural community who uses force and influence to act unjustly.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Bọn cường hào áp bức dân làng trong nhiều năm. (The local despots oppressed the villagers for many years.)
- Câu chuyện kể về một tên cường hào tham lam. (The story tells of a greedy local tyrant.)
Advanced Usage
- Historically, the term "cường hào ác bá" is a common four-word idiom meaning "local tyrants and evil gentry," describing the oppressive ruling class in pre-revolutionary Vietnamese society.
- Cách mạng đã lật đổ ách thống trị của bọn cường hào ác bá. (The revolution overthrew the rule of the local tyrants and evil gentry.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hào cường (n): A less common variant with the same meaning, emphasizing local power and tyranny.
- Địa chủ (n): Landlord; a related concept, but not all landlords were necessarily cường hào, which emphasizes cruel and abusive behavior.
Synonyms
- Local tyrant
- Despot
- Bully (in a position of power)
- Oppressive notable
Related Idioms
- Cường hào ác bá: Local tyrants and evil gentry. This fixed phrase vividly describes the collective oppressive class in historical contexts.
- Chính sách nhằm trừng trị bọn cường hào ác bá. (The policy aimed to punish the local tyrants and evil gentry.)