Definition

1. Noun:
   • A very old man; an elderly gentleman: A respectful term for a man of advanced age, typically implying great age and deserving of reverence.
   • Great-grandfather: Specifically denotes a paternal great-grandfather.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cụ ông ấy năm nay đã ngoài 90 tuổi. (That elderly gentleman is now over 90 years old.)
  • Cụ ông ngồi đọc báo ở công viên mỗi sáng. (The old man sits reading the newspaper in the park every morning.)
  • Tôi nghe câu chuyện này từ cụ ông của tôi. (I heard this story from my great-grandfather.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "cụ ông" carries a strong connotation of respect and veneration, more so than the general word (old man). It is used to address or refer to a man who is not only old but is also perceived as dignified and worthy of honor due to his age and experience.

Variants and Related Words

• Cụ bà (n): A very old woman; an elderly lady; great-grandmother. The female counterpart to "cụ ông".

  • Cụ bà vẫn còn rất minh mẫn. (The elderly lady is still very sharp-minded.)

• Ông cố (n): Paternal great-grandfather. This is a more direct kinship term, while "cụ ông" can be used both for kinship and as a general respectful title.

  • Đây là ảnh của ông cố tôi. (This is a photo of my great-grandfather.)

Synonyms

• Elderly gentleman: A polite term for an old man.
• Great-grandfather: The father of one's grandparent.
• Patriarch: A man who is the head of a family or tribe, often an older man.

Related Idioms

• Kính lão đắc thọ: (Respect the elderly and you will attain longevity) – a proverb emphasizing the value of respecting elders, which aligns with the respectful usage of .
  • Người Việt có câu "kính lão đắc thọ". (Vietnamese people have the saying, "Respect the elderly and you will attain longevity.")