Definition

1. Noun:
   • Fisherman and firewood gatherer: "Ngư tiều" is a classical Vietnamese compound noun referring to two specific rustic occupations: fisherman (ngư) and firewood gatherer/woodcutter (tiều). It evokes imagery of simple, traditional countryside livelihoods.
   • Rustic folk, common people of the countryside: The term is often used collectively to represent ordinary, humble people living close to nature, typically in a literary or poetic context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong thơ ca cổ, hình ảnh ngư tiều thường tượng trưng cho cuộc sống an nhàn, giản dị. (In classical poetry, the image of the "ngư tiều" often symbolizes a leisurely, simple life.)
  • Cảnh ngư tiều trên sông lúc hoàng hôn thật thanh bình. (The scene of fishermen and woodcutters on the river at dusk is truly peaceful.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "ngư tiều" is primarily found in classical literature, poetry, and proverbs. It is marked as (cũ) (old) in modern dictionaries, indicating its archaic or literary flavor.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe a life of rustic simplicity and detachment from worldly affairs.
  • Sống cuộc đời ngư tiều nơi thôn dã. (To live the life of a rustic by the countryside.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngư dân (n): Fisherman (modern, common term).
• Tiều phu (n): Woodcutter, lumberjack (modern, common term).
• Mục đồng (n): Buffalo boy, herd boy. Often grouped with "ngư tiều" in the classical phrase "ngư tiều canh mục" to represent all basic rustic occupations (fisherman, woodcutter, farmer, herdsman).

Synonyms

• Dân dã (adj/n): Rustic, folk; common country people.
• Lao động chân tay (n): Manual laborers.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Ngư tiều canh mục: A classical four-word idiom encompassing the four traditional rustic occupations: fisherman (ngư), woodcutter (tiều), farmer (canh), and herdsman (mục). It represents the foundational, agrarian way of life.
  • Ước mơ một cuộc sống ngư tiều canh mục. (To dream of a simple, pastoral life.)

1. (cũ)fisherman and firewoodman