con hát
Definition
- Noun:
- A female singer, especially a professional singer or performer in traditional Vietnamese theater (like Tuồng, Chèo): Historically refers to a woman whose profession is singing and performing in artistic forms.
- A performer, an actress (archaic/derogatory context): In older or sometimes pejorative usage, it can refer to a female stage performer, often with a connotation of low social status.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong đoàn tuồng ấy, cô ấy là một con hát tài danh. (In that Tuồng troupe, she is a talented singer/actress.)
- Xã hội phong kiến thường coi thường những người làm nghề con hát. (Feudal society often looked down upon those who worked as performers.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "con hát" is now considered archaic and can carry a derogatory or belittling nuance, reflecting historical social prejudices against performers. In modern, respectful contexts, terms like "nghệ sĩ" (artist), "ca sĩ" (singer), or "diễn viên" (actor/actress) are preferred.
- Ông ta dùng từ "con hát" với thái độ khinh miệt. (He used the word "con hát" with a contemptuous attitude.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đào hát / Kép hát (n): More specific, traditional terms for a female (đào) or male (kép) performer in genres like Tuồng or Chèo. These are also somewhat archaic but more technical.
- Vai diễn của đào hát đó rất cảm động. (That female performer's role was very moving.)
- Nghệ sĩ (n): Artist, performer (modern, respectful).
- Ca sĩ (n): Singer (modern).
Synonyms
- Nữ ca sĩ: Female singer.
- Nữ diễn viên: Actress.
- Đào nương (archaic): A classical term for a young female performer/singer.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Xướng ca vô loài (Idiom): An old, extremely derogatory saying meaning "singing and performing is a worthless/baseless trade," reflecting the historical disdain for the profession referenced by the term "con hát".
- Quan niệm "xướng ca vô loài" đã bị xã hội hiện đại bác bỏ. (The notion that "singing is a worthless trade" has been rejected by modern society.)