Definition

Noun: - Rich merchant, wealthy trader: A historical term referring to a person who engaged in commerce and accumulated significant wealth, often associated with pre-modern or feudal societies in Vietnam.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, các phú thương có ảnh hưởng lớn đến kinh tế địa phương. (In feudal society, rich merchants had great influence on the local economy.)
  • Gia đình ông ấy vốn là phú thương nổi tiếng ở vùng này. (His family was originally a famous wealthy merchant family in this region.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "phú thương" is primarily used in historical or literary contexts to describe the merchant class in traditional Vietnamese society. It is not commonly used in modern everyday language to refer to contemporary businesspeople.

Variants and Related Words

• Thương nhân (noun): Merchant, trader. This is a more general and modern term for a businessperson.
• Nhà buôn (noun): Trader, dealer. A common term for someone engaged in buying and selling goods.

Synonyms

• Nhà giàu buôn bán: Rich trader (descriptive phrase).
• Thương gia giàu có: Wealthy merchant.

Notes on Meaning

• "Phú thương" is a compound noun formed from "phú" (rich, wealthy) and "thương" (commerce, merchant). It specifically denotes a person whose wealth comes from trade, distinguishing them from landowners or aristocrats.
• The term often carries a historical connotation, evoking images of merchants in ancient markets or during feudal dynasties.

noun

1. rich merchant
   • phù

noun

1. (med) beriberi