Definition

1. 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.)