Definition

Noun: - Light infantry: A type of military unit consisting of soldiers who are lightly equipped and armed, designed for high mobility, rapid movement, and skirmishing tactics, often used for reconnaissance, flanking, or operating in difficult terrain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đơn vị khinh binh đã thực hiện một cuộc tấn công bất ngờ vào sườn địch. (The light infantry unit executed a surprise attack on the enemy's flank.)
  • Trong lịch sử, khinh binh thường không mặc áo giáp nặng. (Historically, light infantry often did not wear heavy armor.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily historical or technical within military contexts. In modern discussions, it may be used to describe specific, agile troop types in historical wargaming or military history analyses.

Variants and Related Words

• Bộ binh hạng nhẹ: A direct synonym phrase for "light infantry" in Vietnamese.
• Bộ binh: Infantry (the general term).

Synonyms

• Light foot soldiers
• Skirmishers (in certain historical contexts)

Notes on Usage

• "Khinh binh" is a specific compound noun. The individual words "khinh" (light,轻视) and "binh" (soldier,兵) are not used independently in this military sense.
• The reference to "(arithm.) psile; psilète" from the Vietnamese-French dictionary appears to be a highly specialized, obsolete, or erroneous entry unrelated to the standard military meaning. It should be disregarded for general language learning purposes.

1. Light infantry