Definition

Noun: * Prostitute; whore; courtesan: A woman who engages in sexual activity for payment. The term carries strong negative connotations of social disapproval and moral judgment. It is a direct and often derogatory term.

Usage

• The word "gái điếm" is a noun used to label a person. It is considered a harsh, impolite, and offensive term in modern Vietnamese.
• It is typically used in formal legal contexts, historical descriptions, or as a strong pejorative in speech. In contemporary, neutral, or respectful discourse, alternative terms are preferred.
• Example: (She was considered a prostitute by the society of that time.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• The term "gái điếm" focuses solely on the transactional aspect of sex work and is loaded with moral condemnation. It does not distinguish between different circumstances or contexts of sex work.
• Historically, it could sometimes be used in literary contexts with a slightly less harsh tone, but its primary use remains pejorative.

Variants and Related Words

• Gái mại dâm (n.): A more formal and clinical term, equivalent to "sex worker" or "female prostitute." It is the standard term used in legal documents and public health contexts. (e.g., - measures to protect sex workers).
• Gái làng chơi (n.): A dated, euphemistic term that can imply a courtesan or a woman involved in the entertainment/pleasure quarters, sometimes with a slightly more refined connotation than "gái điếm," but still referring to prostitution.
• Đĩ (n.): A highly vulgar and extremely offensive slang term for a prostitute, stronger than "gái điếm."

Synonyms

• Kỹ nữ (n.): A historical/literary term for a female entertainer or courtesan, which could include but is not exclusively defined by sexual services. It is less blunt than "gái điếm."
• Gái bán hoa (n.): A euphemistic idiom meaning "flower-selling girl," used to refer to prostitutes indirectly and somewhat poetically.

Important Note on Usage

• Caution: Due to its derogatory and stigmatizing nature, the use of "gái điếm" in everyday conversation is strongly discouraged. It is considered disrespectful and dehumanizing. The terms "gái mại dâm" or the more person-centric "người hành nghề mại dâm" (person working in prostitution) are the appropriate choices for neutral or respectful communication.

noun

1. prostitute; whore; courtesan