Definition

Verb (Transitive) * To recruit talents; to attract and enlist capable and virtuous people (used historically, often referring to rulers or states). This term describes the deliberate action of a sovereign or state to seek out, invite, and appoint wise, virtuous, and talented individuals to serve in government or assist in governance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Các vị vua anh minh thường có chính sách chiêu hiền để phát triển đất nước. (Wise kings often had policies to recruit talents to develop the country.)
  • Nhà vua ra chiếu chỉ chiêu hiền khắp nơi. (The king issued an edict to recruit talents from everywhere.)
  • Chiêu hiền đãi sĩ là việc làm cần thiết của một triều đại thịnh vượng. (Recruiting talents and treating scholars with respect is a necessary practice for a prosperous dynasty.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is almost exclusively used in historical, literary, or formal contexts to describe ancient or feudal governance practices. It carries a classical and respectful connotation.
• It is often part of the four-character idiom "chiêu hiền đãi sĩ" (to recruit the virtuous and treat scholars with courtesy), which encapsulates a key Confucian ideal of governance.

Variants and Related Words

• Chiêu mộ (Verb): To recruit, to enlist. This is a more general and modern term for recruitment, not limited to talented individuals for state service (e.g., chiêu mộ nhân tài, chiêu mộ binh lính).
• Trọng dụng (Verb): To value and put (someone) to good use; to appoint someone to an important position based on their talent.
• Hiền tài (Noun): Virtuous and talented person; a talented individual.

Synonyms

• Tuyển dụng nhân tài: To recruit talented personnel (modern, general term).
• Thu nạp người tài: To admit/accept talented people.

Related Idioms

• Chiêu hiền đãi sĩ: To recruit the virtuous and treat scholars with courtesy. This idiom represents a complete policy of seeking and honoring talent.
  • Vị minh quân nổi tiếng với chính sách chiêu hiền đãi sĩ. (The enlightened king was famous for his policy of recruiting the virtuous and treating scholars with courtesy.)

1. (nói về vua chúa ngày xưa) To recruit talents