cậu ấm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A young son of a mandarin: Historically, this term refers to a boy or young man born into a family of a high-ranking Vietnamese official (mandarin) in the feudal system. It implies a life of privilege and being sheltered from hardship.
- A pampered young man from a wealthy family: In modern, often humorous or slightly critical usage, it describes a young man who is spoiled, lives in luxury due to his family's wealth or status, and is inexperienced in the difficulties of ordinary life.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong xã hội phong kiến, cậu ấm thường được nuông chiều và không phải lo lắng gì. (In feudal society, the mandarin's son was often pampered and had no worries.)
- Anh ta chẳng biết làm việc gì, đúng là một cậu ấm. (He doesn't know how to do any work; he's truly a spoiled rich kid.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used with a connotation of mild mockery or criticism, highlighting the person's lack of real-world skills, resilience, or understanding of common struggles due to their sheltered upbringing.
Variants and Related Words
- Công tử (n): A similar term meaning "young master" or "playboy," often used for sons of wealthy families, sometimes with an implication of being a dandy or frivolous.
- Cô chiêu (n): The female counterpart, referring to a pampered young woman from a wealthy, high-status family.
Synonyms
- Pampered son
- Scion (of a wealthy family)
- Rich kid (colloquial)
- Mama's boy (colloquial, with a slightly different nuance)
Related Idioms
- While not a direct idiom, the concept is central to phrases describing a life of ease and privilege, such as (to live in silk, meaning to live in luxury).
- Mandarin's son