Definition

1. Noun (historical/archaic):
   • Exemption from corvées: In the feudal era of Vietnam, this referred to the right or privilege of being exempted from compulsory labor duties (corvées) imposed by the village authorities.
   • Person exempt from corvées: It could also refer to a person who held such an exemption.

Usage

• This word is archaic and is primarily found in historical texts or discussions about Vietnam's feudal past. It is not used in modern, everyday language.
• It is most commonly seen in the compound historical term "mua nhiêu" (to buy an exemption from corvées).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, chỉ những người giàu có mới có thể có nhiêu. (In feudal society, only the wealthy could have an exemption from corvées.)
  • Việc mua nhiêu là một hình thức đóng tiền cho làng xã để khỏi phải đi phu, đi lính. (The act of buying an exemption was a form of paying money to the village to avoid conscripted labor or military service.)

Advanced Usage / Historical Context

• The concept of "nhiêu" is tied to the "lý dịch" (village administration and duty) system in pre-modern Vietnam. Villagers were required to perform various public duties (corvées). Wealthier individuals could pay for an exemption, which was called "nhiêu".
• The related verb phrase "mua nhiêu" specifically denotes the transaction of purchasing this exemption.

Variants and Related Words

• Mua nhiêu (historical compound phrase): To pay for/buy an exemption from corvées.
  • Gia đình ông ấy đã mua nhiêu để con trai khỏi phải đi lính. (His family bought an exemption so their son wouldn't have to go into military service.)

Synonyms

• Sự miễn dịch (tạp dịch/phu phen) (n): Exemption (from labor duties).
• Quyền được miễn (n): The right to be exempted.

Notes

• Do not confuse with the modern, extremely common interrogative adjective "nhiêu" (how much/many). They are homonyms (words that sound the same but have different meanings). The word explained here is a distinct, historical noun.
• The modern word "nhiêu" (how much/many) is used in questions like (How much money?) and is unrelated in meaning and origin.

1. (cũ) Exemption from corvees
   • Mua nhiêu
     To pay For an exemption from corvees
2. Person exempt from corvees