nậu

Thân thiện

Một người đàn ông mặc chiếc nậu màu xanh dương trong lễ rước.

Definition

1. Noun (archaic):

   • Processional dress: A type of ceremonial or formal garment worn in historical processions.

2. Noun (dialectal/colloquial):

   • Band, gang, clique: A group of people, often with a negative connotation of being involved in dubious or criminal activities together.

Usage Examples

• Noun (archaic):

  • Quan viên mặc áo nậu để đi rước. (The officials wore processional dress for the ceremony.)

• Noun (dialectal):

  • Chúng nó là một nậu với nhau. (They are part of the same gang.)
  • Nậu kẻ cướp ấy đã bị bắt. (That band of robbers has been caught.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is now considered old-fashioned or regional. In modern standard Vietnamese, other words like nhóm (group) or băng (gang) are more commonly used for the "group" meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Đầu nậu (n): ringleader, boss (of a gang or group).
  • Cảnh sát đang truy lùng tên đầu nậu. (The police are hunting for the ringleader.)

Synonyms

• Gang: a group of criminals.
• Clique: a small, exclusive group of people.
• Faction: a small, organized, dissenting group.

Notes on Usage

• When used to mean "group," nậu carries a strong colloquial and often pejorative tone. It is not a neutral term.
• The archaic meaning related to clothing is rarely used in contemporary language except in historical or literary contexts.

Học thuật

1. (từ cũ) Processional dress.
2. (địa phương) Band, gang, clique
   • Bọn chúng cùng một nậu
     They belonged to the same gang