Definition

1. Verb:
   • To act as the king's envoy; to receive and execute a royal order: The action of being appointed by the king to carry out a specific, often important, mission or command.
2. Noun:
   • The king's envoy; royal delegate: The person who is officially appointed by the king to perform a special duty or mission.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhà vua cử ông ấy khâm mạng ra Bắc. (The king sent him to act as the royal envoy to the North.)
  • Vị tướng được khâm mạng điều binh khiển tướng. (The general was royally mandated to command the troops.)
• Noun:
  • Vị khâm mạng đã đến thành phố. (The king's envoy has arrived in the city.)
  • Ông ta là một khâm mạng của triều đình. (He is a royal envoy of the court.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in a historical context, referring to the feudal or monarchical period of Vietnam.
• It implies a high level of trust and authority bestowed directly by the monarch.
• "khâm mạng tòa thánh": In a religious context (specifically Catholicism), this can refer to an apostolic vicar, a bishop who acts as the Pope's delegate in a region.

Variants and Related Words

• Khâm sai (Noun/Verb): A closely related term also meaning a royal envoy or to be dispatched on a royal mission. It is often used interchangeably with "khâm mạng," though "khâm sai" might sometimes imply a slightly broader investigative or executive power.
• Sứ giả (Noun): Envoy, messenger. A more general term for an emissary, not necessarily carrying a royal mandate.
• Đặc sứ (Noun): Special envoy. A modern term for a diplomat sent on a specific mission.

Synonyms

• Sứ thần (Noun): Royal ambassador, envoy.
• Lê-gát (Noun, from French ): Legate. A formal term for an official emissary, especially of the Pope.

Related Phrases

• Vâng mệnh (Verb Phrase): To obey an order/command. A component of the meaning of "khâm mạng."
• Thi hành sứ mạng (Verb Phrase): To execute a mission. Describes the action of the envoy.

Related Idioms

• Mang cờ triệu bách (Idiom): This classical idiom refers to carrying the royal flag and summons, evoking the image and authority of a royal envoy on a mission. It is thematically related to the concept of "khâm mạng."

1. Act as the king's envoy
   • Khâm mạng ra bắc Thanh tra
     To act as the king's envoy and go on an inspection tour in the North
2. King's envoy
3. Le'gate