Definitions

1. Noun:

   • A session, round, or bout (of entertainment, eating, or drinking): "chầu" often refers to a specific period of time spent on a recreational activity, meal, or drink, typically in a social context.
   • A period, stretch, or season (of time): "chầu" can denote a general, often indefinite, period or stretch of time.
   • (Historical/Archaic) A session of ca trù singing: "chầu" refers to a performance or session involving traditional Vietnamese ceremonial singing with female performers (hát ả đào).

2. Verb:

   • To attend court, to have an audience (with a king/emperor): "chầu" means to be present in the royal court to serve or pay homage to the monarch.
   • To face, to turn towards (a center): "chầu" describes objects or figures oriented towards a central point.
   • (Colloquial, commerce) To add a little extra (to a sale): "chầu" means to give a customer a small bonus amount when selling goods, especially agricultural products.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Anh ấy đãi tôi một chầu phở. (He treated me to a bowl of pho. / He bought me a round of pho.)
  • Chúng tôi đi xem một chầu xi-nê. (We went to see a movie showing / a film session.)
  • Chầu này công việc rất bận. (This period, work is very busy.)

• Verb:

  • Các quan vào chầu vua. (The mandarins entered to attend court / have an audience with the king.)
  • Tấm phù điêu khắc hình đôi rồng chầu mặt nguyệt. (The relief carving depicts a pair of dragons facing the moon.)
  • Bán một ký cam, tôi chầu thêm cho bác một quả. (Selling a kilo of oranges, I'll throw in an extra one for you.)

Advanced Usage / Set Phrases

• Cầm chầu / đánh trống chầu: To be the master of ceremonies/drummer in a performance, setting the rhythm and praising the singer.
• Chầu hát: A singing session (specifically or similar traditional forms).
• Chầu rượu: A drinking bout/session.
• Chầu như chầu họp: (Idiomatic) To wait for a very long time (comparing the wait to attending a lengthy court session or meeting).
• Mắng cho một chầu: To scold someone for a stretch of time.

Variants and Related Words

• Chầu hầu (verb): To attend and serve (a superior). A compound emphasizing service.
• Chầu rìa (verb, colloquial): To wait idly on the sidelines, often for a long time without result.
• Sân chầu (noun): The royal court/audience hall.
• Áo chầu (noun): Official court robes worn for an audience with the king.

Synonyms

• Buổi (noun): Session, occasion (more general).
• Hồi, lúc, đợt (noun): Period, stretch, spell (of time).
• Hầu (verb): To serve, to attend upon.
• Hướng về, quay về (verb): To face towards, to turn towards.

Notes on Usage

• As a noun meaning "session/round," "chầu" is often used colloquially and typically requires a following noun specifying the activity (e.g., ). It implies a complete, contained instance of that activity.
• The verbal meaning "to attend court" is now historical/archaic but is preserved in literature, historical texts, and idioms.
• The commercial usage ("to add extra") is informal and specific to marketplace or street vendor contexts.

noun

1. Soiree with sing-song girls, soiree with geishas
2. Round, bout, session
   • đãi một chầu phở
     to treat someone to a round of noodle soup
   • xem một chầu xi nê
     to attend a session of film show
   • thết một chầu rượu
     to pay for a drinking bout
3. Period, season
   • cuối chầu gặt
     the end of the harvesting season
   • chầu này trời hay mưa
     it rains often in this period of time
   • mắng cho một chầu
     to scold (someone) for a length of time

verb

1. None