Definition

1. Noun:
   • Subordinates in a gang of bandits: Refers to the henchmen, followers, or underlings who serve a bandit chief or a villainous leader. This term is strongly associated with historical or literary contexts involving outlaw gangs.
   • A very long time (archaic, usually in negative constructions): An older, less common usage meaning a long duration, typically used in rhetorical questions or negative statements to imply "not long at all."

Usage Examples

• Noun (Subordinates):

  • Tướng cướp ra lệnh cho đám lâu la của hắn. (The bandit chief ordered his subordinates.)
  • Lũ lâu la kéo đến bao vây ngôi làng. (The gang of underlings arrived and surrounded the village.)

• Adjective (Archaic: a long time):

  • Anh ta mới đến đây, có lâu la gì đâu. (He just arrived here, it hasn't been long at all.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "lâu la" is primarily found in classic Vietnamese literature, folk tales, and historical narratives depicting banditry. Its modern usage is almost exclusively in this stylistic or metaphorical sense to describe loyal but often crude followers of a negative authority figure.

Variants and Related Words

• Tay chân (n): Literally "hands and feet"; a common modern synonym for henchmen or underlings.

  • Bọn tay chân của tên trùm rất đông. (The crime boss's henchmen are numerous.)

• Đàn em (n): A more general term for subordinates or junior members within a group, which can be neutral or negative depending on context.

Synonyms

• Henchmen: Trusted followers who carry out orders, often for a criminal.
• Underlings: Those of lower rank or position, especially in a hierarchical group.
• Retainers: Attendants or servants to a person of rank (closer historical context).
• A long time (archaic): A considerable period.

Related Idioms

• While "lâu la" itself is not commonly used in modern idioms, the concept is related to phrases describing groups of followers.
• Bộ hạ lâu la: A phrase emphasizing a full entourage of subordinates.
  • Hắn ta đi đâu cũng có bộ hạ lâu la đi theo. (Wherever he goes, he has a retinue of underlings following him.)

noun

1. subordinates in a gang of bandits