Definition

1. Verb (Historical/Formal):
   • To distribute relief (aid): The act of giving out essential supplies, such as food, money, or clothing, to people in need, especially victims of disasters or the poor. This term often carries a connotation of organized, often charitable or governmental, distribution.
   • To give alms: The act of giving charity or donations, typically to the poor or destitute.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hội Chữ thập đỏ tổ chức phát chẩn cho các nạn nhân bão. (The Red Cross organized relief distribution for storm victims.)
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, đôi khi địa chủ phát chẩn cho dân nghèo trong làng. (In feudal society, landlords sometimes gave alms to the poor villagers.)
  • Chính quyền đã phát chẩn khẩn cấp sau trận động đất. (The authorities distributed emergency relief after the earthquake.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "phát chẩn" is considered somewhat dated or formal in modern Vietnamese. In contemporary contexts, phrases like "phát cứu trợ" (to distribute relief aid) or "phát quà từ thiện" (to distribute charitable gifts) are more commonly used.
• It often implies a temporary, one-time aid distribution to address an immediate crisis, rather than a systematic social welfare program.

Variants and Related Words

• Cứu trợ (n/v): relief/aid; to provide relief.
  • cứu trợ nhân đạo (humanitarian aid).
• Từ thiện (n/adj): charity; charitable.
  • hoạt động từ thiện (charitable activities).
• Bố thí (v): to give alms (often with a religious connotation).

Synonyms

• Distribute aid/relief: to give out help or supplies.
• Dole out: to distribute shares of something (can imply a limited or meager amount).
• Give alms/charity: to give money or food to the poor.

Related Idioms

• While there is no direct idiom with "phát chẩn", the concept relates to broader idioms about charity and poverty.
• Lá lành đùm lá rách: The intact leaves wrap the torn leaves (meaning the fortunate help the less fortunate).
  • Tinh thần "lá lành đùm lá rách" thể hiện rõ trong đợt phát chẩn này. (The spirit of "the fortunate helping the less fortunate" was clear in this relief distribution.)

1. (cũ) Distribute relief; give alms