Definition

1. Noun:
   • A eunuch: "nội gián" refers to a castrated man, historically employed to guard the women's quarters in royal palaces or wealthy households in some Asian societies, particularly in feudal Vietnam and China.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong cung đình xưa, nội gián chịu trách nhiệm bảo vệ hậu cung. (In ancient royal courts, eunuchs were responsible for guarding the inner palaces.)
  • Vai trò của nội gián trong lịch sử Việt Nam khá phức tạp. (The role of eunuchs in Vietnamese history was quite complex.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily historical and academic. It is used to discuss historical contexts, social structures, and literature from feudal periods.

Variants and Related Words

• Thái giám: This is a more common and specific synonym for "nội gián," also meaning eunuch, often used in the context of Chinese and Vietnamese imperial courts.
• Hoạn quan: Another synonym for eunuch, with the same meaning.

Synonyms

• Eunuch: The direct English equivalent.
• Castrato: Refers specifically to a male singer castrated before puberty to preserve a soprano or alto voice, primarily in European history. The context differs from "nội gián."

Notes on Meaning

• The term "nội gián" is historical. It should not be confused with the modern word "gián điệp" (spy), despite the shared character "gián." Their meanings and etymologies are different.
• In contemporary usage, this term is rarely used outside of historical discussions.

1. Ennuch