Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lowly trade / a despised profession: In historical and social contexts, "mạt nghệ" refers to an occupation that was looked down upon or considered the lowest in social status within traditional or feudal society.
   • The dregs of professions: It implies a trade viewed as having the least prestige or honor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, vài nghề bị coi là mạt nghệ. (In feudal society, some trades were considered lowly professions.)
  • Ông ta làm một công việc bị xem như mạt nghệ. (He worked a job seen as a despised trade.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily historical and carries a strong pejorative connotation, reflecting outdated social hierarchies and class prejudices. It is rarely used in modern contexts except when discussing historical social structures.

Variants and Related Words

• Nghề hèn mọn (n): a mean/lowly occupation. This is a more general modern synonym.
• Nghề thấp kém (n): an inferior/low-status job.

Synonyms

• Despised trade
• Lowly occupation
• Menial profession

Related Concepts

• Social stratification: The historical context in which certain trades were systematically devalued.
• Class prejudice: The bias against people based on their type of work.