khâm
Definitions
- Noun:
- (Archaic) Imperial Commissioner, Imperial Envoy: An official title in the historical Vietnamese court system, often referring to a high-ranking mandarin or envoy appointed by the emperor for a specific mission or to govern a region. It is an abbreviation of "khâm sứ" (imperial commissioner/legate).
- (Archaic) Imperial Edict, Decree: Can refer to an official document or order issued by the emperor.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nhà vua cử một vị khâm đi kinh lý miền biên ải. (The king sent an imperial commissioner to inspect the border region.)
- Tờ khâm của hoàng đế đã được ban bố. (The emperor's edict has been promulgated.)
Advanced Usage
- "khâm sai": Imperial envoy with special powers.
- Ông ấy được bổ nhiệm làm khâm sai đại thần. (He was appointed as a high-ranking imperial envoy.)
- "khâm sứ": Imperial commissioner/legate (the full form).
- Khâm sứ Pháp tại Đông Dương. (The French Resident-Superior in Indochina.)
Variants and Related Words
- Khâm sứ (n): Imperial commissioner; a specific historical term, especially during the French colonial period in Indochina for certain high-ranking French officials.
- Khâm phục (v): To admire, to esteem (a different word, but shares the character "khâm" meaning "to respect").
- Khâm thiên giám (n): The Imperial Observatory/Board of Astronomy in historical Vietnam.
Synonyms
- Sứ thần: Envoy, ambassador.
- Khâm sai: Imperial envoy (a near-synonym, often used interchangeably).
- Chỉ dụ: Imperial decree, edict (for the meaning of "edict").
Notes
- Usage Note: The word "khâm" is now largely archaic and is primarily encountered in historical texts, literature, or discussions about Vietnam's feudal era. It is not used in modern administrative or everyday language.
- Context: Its most common modern recognition is within the compound "khâm sứ," a key term in Vietnamese history related to the colonial administration.