gá nghĩa
Definition
- 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.)