khyển mã

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Lackey or servile follower: A derogatory term for a person who serves a master or authority with unquestioning and often shameful loyalty, like a dog or horse. It implies blind obedience and a loss of personal dignity.
   • Henchman: Refers specifically to a loyal subordinate who carries out orders, often unethical or violent ones, for their superior.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hắn và đồng bọn chỉ là lũ khuyển mã của tên trùm. (He and his gang are just the crime boss's lackeys.)
  • Bọn khuyển mã ấy sẵn sàng làm mọi việc xấu xa. (Those henchmen are ready to do every evil deed.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is a compound Sino-Vietnamese word from "khuyển" (dog) and "mã" (horse), animals traditionally seen as loyal servants to humans. It is almost exclusively used in literary, political, or historical contexts to convey strong contempt.

Variants and Related Words

• Tay sai (n): A more common Vietnamese synonym for "henchman" or "underling."
  • Bọn tay sai đang đi thu thuế. (The underlings are out collecting taxes.)

Synonyms

• Lackey: A servile follower.
• Henchman: A loyal and often unscrupulous follower.
• Minion: A subordinate, especially one who is unimportant or servile.
• Flunkey: A person who performs menial tasks; a servile follower.

Related Idioms

• Làm khuyển mã: To act as a servile follower.
  • Hắn không ngại làm khuyển mã để được thăng chức. (He does not mind acting as a lackey to get promoted.)