Definition

Noun: - Red Cross: An international humanitarian organization, or its emblem (a red cross on a white background), dedicated to providing assistance and protection to victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hội Hồng thập tự quốc tế đã gửi viện trợ đến vùng thiên tai. (The International Red Cross sent aid to the disaster area.)
  • Biểu tượng hồng thập tự được công nhận trên toàn thế giới. (The Red Cross emblem is recognized worldwide.)

Advanced Usage

• "Hội Hồng thập tự": This is the most common full name, specifically referring to the organization (e.g., Hội Hồng thập tự Việt Nam - Vietnam Red Cross Society).
• The term can be used metonymically to refer to humanitarian aid or medical services in a general sense, especially in older or formal contexts.
  • Các bác sĩ hồng thập tự đã có mặt tại hiện trường. (Red Cross doctors were present at the scene.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chữ thập đỏ: This is a direct synonym and the more commonly used term in modern Vietnamese, especially in official contexts. It has the same meaning as "hồng thập tự".
  • Hội Chữ thập đỏ Việt Nam (Vietnam Red Cross Society)
• Trăng lưỡi liềm đỏ: Red Crescent (The equivalent emblem and organization used in many Muslim-majority countries).

Synonyms

• Chữ thập đỏ: Red Cross.
• Hội cứu tế: Relief association (a more general term for a humanitarian aid organization).

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The term almost exclusively refers to the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, its national societies, or its protective emblem. It is a proper noun.
• Historical/Formal Context: "Hồng thập tự" is an older Sino-Vietnamese term. While still understood and used, especially in the name of the organization, "chữ thập đỏ" is more prevalent in contemporary everyday language.

noun

1. red cross