Definition

1. Noun:
   • Thugs, robbers: "giặc cướp" refers to a group of lawless, violent criminals who rob and plunder, often causing harm to people.
   • Brigands, bandits: It can also denote outlaws or bandits who operate by raiding and stealing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Những tên giặc cướp đã bị cảnh sát bắt giữ. (The thugs/robbers have been arrested by the police.)
  • Vùng núi này ngày xưa thường có giặc cướp hoành hành. (This mountainous area used to be plagued by brigands/bandits.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Literary Context: The term "giặc cướp" often carries a strong, condemnatory tone and may be used in historical or literary contexts to describe marauding groups.
  • Trong truyện cổ tích, người anh trai tham lam cuối cùng đã gia nhập bọn giặc cướp. (In the fairy tale, the greedy older brother eventually joined the band of robbers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cướp (noun/verb): robber; to rob. This is the root word for theft.
  • Tên cướp (the robber)
• Giặc (noun): enemy, invader, pest. This word often implies a larger, more organized hostile force.
  • Giặc ngoại xâm (foreign invaders)
• Kẻ cướp (noun phrase): robber, bandit. A more common, modern synonym.
  • Kẻ cướp đã lấy đi ví của bà ấy. (The robber took her wallet.)

Synonyms

• Bọn cướp: gang of robbers.
• Bọn vô lại: gang of ruffians/scoundrels.
• Kẻ cướp của giết người: murderous robbers (a descriptive phrase emphasizing violence).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Giặc cướp như ong": (Robbers swarm like bees.) An idiom describing a situation where robbers or bandits are rampant and numerous.
  • Thời loạn lạc, giặc cướp như ong. (During the turmoil, robbers were swarming everywhere.)

noun

1. thugs, robbers