Definition

1. Verb:
   • To form a bond of friendship or brotherhood: The primary meaning of "gá nghĩa" is to voluntarily establish a deep, sworn friendship or fraternal bond with another person, often through a simple ceremony or pledge. It implies a commitment similar to that of family.
   • To become sworn brothers/sisters: It specifically refers to the act of entering into a pact where two or more individuals agree to treat each other as siblings, creating a social kinship tie.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai người lính đã gá nghĩa anh em trong chiến tranh. (The two soldiers became sworn brothers during the war.)
  • Họ gá nghĩa với nhau, thề cùng sống chết có nhau. (They formed a sworn bond, vowing to share life and death.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is somewhat literary or traditional and carries a stronger, more formal connotation than simply making friends. It often appears in historical or cultural contexts.
• The bond created by "gá nghĩa" is considered sacred and involves mutual obligation and loyalty, similar to blood relations.

Variants and Related Words

• Kết nghĩa (v): This is a more common and modern synonym for "gá nghĩa," meaning to form a sworn friendship or brotherhood/sisterhood.
  • Hai gia đình kết nghĩa với nhau. (The two families formed a sworn bond.)

Synonyms

• To become sworn brothers/sisters: To formally agree to a sibling-like bond.
• To form a pact of friendship: To create a committed friendship through a pledge.
• To ally in brotherhood: To unite in a fraternal alliance.

Related Idioms

• Gá nghĩa anh em: This is the standard phrase, literally "to form a sworn brotherhood." It is often used as a complete expression.
  • Câu chuyện kể về những người bạn đã gá nghĩa anh em. (The story is about friends who became sworn brothers.)