Definition

1. Noun:

   • A written pledge or bond: A formal written document that serves as a guarantee or promise, often required by a village community for a breach of custom.
   • A contract to dedicate a child to a pagoda: A signed document from a superstitious family pledging to give a child to a temple or religious order.

2. Verb:

   • To contract (work) by the piece/job: To hire someone or agree to do work for a fixed sum upon completion of the entire task, rather than being paid by time.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Làng bắt phải làm tờ khoán. (The village required a written pledge.)
  • Gia đình mê tín ký tờ khoán bán con cho chùa. (The superstitious family signed a contract to dedicate their child to the pagoda.)

• Verb:

  • Chủ nhà khoán thợ xây nhà. (The homeowner hired a mason by the piece for the building of the house.)
  • Họ nhận khoán lát sân với giá cố định. (They contracted to tile the yard for a fixed price.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm khoán": To work on a piece-rate or contract basis.

  • Công nhân ở đây thích làm khoán hơn là làm giờ. (The workers here prefer working by the piece rather than by the hour.)

• "Nộp khoán": To pay a fine or sum as stipulated in a written pledge (historical/communal context).

  • Người vi phạm tục lệ phải nộp khoán cho làng. (The person who violated the village custom had to pay the stipulated fine to the village.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khoán gọn (v): To contract for a job as a whole package; to do a turnkey job.

  • Công ty nhận khoán gọn công trình xây dựng. (The company took on the construction project as a turnkey contract.)

• Khoán sản phẩm (v): To contract by output/product.

  • Xưởng may thực hiện khoán sản phẩm cho công nhân. (The garment factory implements product-based piecework for its workers.)

Synonyms

• Contract: A binding agreement.
• Pledge: A solemn promise.
• Piecework: Work paid for according to the amount produced.

Related Idioms

• Bán khoán cửa Phật: To sign a contract dedicating a child to Buddha (indicating deep superstition or a desperate vow).
  • Câu chuyện về đứa trẻ bị bán khoán cửa Phật thật đáng buồn. (The story of the child contracted to the temple is very sad.)

1. Written promise
   • Làng bắt phải làm tờ khoán
     The village required a written promise
2. Contract to sell one's child to a pagoda
3. Hire by the piece
   • Khoán thợ xây nhà
     To hire a mason by the piece for the buiding of a house