duyên bình
Definition
Noun: - The fortune of sitting behind the screen: A classical allusion referring to the position or good luck of serving as a secretary or confidential clerk. The term originates from the story of Lord Mengchang (Mạnh Thường Quân), a famous Chinese nobleman known for hosting many guests. During his meetings, a secretary would sit behind a screen to take notes, giving rise to this phrase to denote the secretary's role or the good fortune of holding such a trusted position.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy có được duyên bình, làm thư ký cho giám đốc. (He had the fortune of sitting behind the screen, working as the director's secretary.)
- Công việc thư ký thân tín ấy quả là một duyên bình. (That job as a confidential secretary is truly a "duyên bình".)
Advanced Usage
- This term is a classical, literary allusion and is rarely used in modern everyday conversation. It appears primarily in historical, literary, or formal contexts to elegantly refer to a secretary's role or a stroke of luck in obtaining a trusted clerical position close to authority.
Variants and Related Words
- Thư ký (n): secretary.
- Cô ấy là thư ký riêng của chủ tịch. (She is the personal secretary to the chairman.)
Synonyms
- Secretary: a person employed to handle correspondence and routine administrative work.
- Confidential clerk: a clerk entrusted with secret or private matters.
- Aide: an assistant to an important person.
Related Idioms
- Duyên bình itself functions as a fixed, idiomatic phrase derived from a classical story. It encapsulates the concept of being fortunate enough to serve in a discreet, recording role behind the scenes of power.