Definition

1. Noun:
   • Emergency pass: A wooden tablet inscribed with characters, used as a command signal by officials. The character "hoả" (fire) is endorsed on it, meaning the matter is as urgent as hot fire, similar to the modern term "hoả tốc" (express/urgent). It was used by messengers carrying the king's urgent orders.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sứ giả cầm hoả bài để chuyển mệnh lệnh khẩn cấp của nhà vua. (The messenger held the emergency pass to deliver the king's urgent order.)
  • Hoả bài là một vật chứng cho thấy sự việc cần được xử lý ngay lập tức. (The emergency pass is proof that the matter needs to be handled immediately.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Administrative Context: The term "hoả bài" is primarily used in historical contexts to describe the administrative and communication systems of feudal Vietnam (or similar Sinosphere systems). It signifies the highest level of urgency in official dispatches.
  • Trong hệ thống hành chính cũ, chỉ có những mệnh lệnh tối khẩn cấp mới được truyền đi kèm hoả bài. (In the old administrative system, only the most urgent orders were transmitted with an emergency pass.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoả tốc (adj/adv): Express, urgent. A modern term derived from the same concept of fire-like speed and urgency.
  • Công văn hoả tốc (Express dispatch)
• Bài (n): In this context, it means a tablet, plaque, or tally. In other contexts, it can mean a card (like in games) or a written piece (like an essay).

Synonyms

• Lệnh bài khẩn cấp: Emergency command tablet.
• Tín bài khẩn: Urgent message tablet.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Truyền hoả bài: To transmit/send an emergency pass. This implies conveying an order of utmost urgency.
  • Nhà vua truyền hoả bài đi khắp nơi để tập hợp quân đội. (The king sent out emergency passes everywhere to gather the army.)

1. Emergency pass (used by messengers carrying the king's urgent orders)