khán thủ
Definition
- Noun:
- A historical village official: In the Nguyễn dynasty, a "khán thủ" was a village official responsible for surveillance and the maintenance of roads and public works.
- A supervisor of works: The term specifically denotes someone who oversaw and monitored construction or repair projects within a village community.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Chức khán thủ trong làng có nhiệm vụ tuần phòng. (The village khán thủ had patrol duties.)
- Ông ấy được cử làm khán thủ để giám sát việc sửa cầu. (He was appointed as the khán thủ to supervise the bridge repair.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is archaic and is primarily encountered in historical texts, documents, or discussions about Vietnam's Nguyễn dynasty administrative structure. It is not used in modern contexts to describe contemporary jobs or roles.
Variants and Related Words
- Lý trưởng (noun): Village chief; a higher-ranking official in the traditional village hierarchy.
- Hương mục (noun): Village elders or notables who assisted in local governance.
Synonyms
- Người giám sát (noun): Supervisor, overseer.
- Quan viên làng xã (noun): Village mandarin/official.
Notes on Meaning
- The term "khán thủ" refers to a specific, low-to-mid-level administrative position in the historical context of pre-modern Vietnam. Its functions combined aspects of security (patrol) and civil engineering (road maintenance). It should not be confused with modern words for "spectator" (like ) or "goalkeeper" (like ), despite sharing the character "thủ".