Definition

Noun: - War, conflict, armed struggle: A literary and somewhat archaic term referring to war, specifically evoking the imagery of weapons (shield and spear) and the state of being at war. It conveys a sense of armed strife and turmoil.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thời đại can qua đã qua đi, nhường chỗ cho hòa bình. (The era of war has passed, giving way to peace.)
  • Trong lịch sử, dân tộc ta đã trải qua nhiều cuộc can qua. (Throughout history, our nation has endured many conflicts.)
  • Bức tranh miêu tả cảnh can qua tang thương. (The painting depicts a scene of devastating warfare.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is primarily used in literary, historical, or formal contexts. It is not common in everyday modern conversation.
• It often carries a classical or poetic nuance, emphasizing the destructive and chaotic nature of war.

Variants and Related Words

• Binh đao (n): Another literary term for war, literally meaning "swords and spears."
• Chiến tranh (n): The standard, modern Vietnamese word for "war."
• Loạn lạc (n): Turmoil, disorder, often caused by war.

Synonyms

• Chiến tranh: War.
• Xung đột vũ trang: Armed conflict.
• Binh lửa: (Literary) The fires of war.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Thời can qua: Time of war.
  • Ông bà tôi sinh ra trong thời can qua. (My grandparents were born in a time of war.)
• Nạn can qua: The calamity of war.
  • Nạn can qua khiến bao gia đình ly tán. (The calamity of war caused countless families to be separated.)

noun

1. War, fire and sword