phường

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The Vietnamese word "phường" is a noun that primarily means "ward" or "neighborhood." It is often used in the context of urban areas in Vietnam to refer to a smaller administrative division within a city or town. In this sense, a "phường" is similar to a district or precinct in English.

Basic Usage:

• Meaning: A division of a city or town where people live, work, and socialize.
• Example: "Tôi sống ở phường 5." (I live in Ward 5.)

Advanced Usage:

In addition to its primary meaning, "phường" can also refer to a group of merchants or craftsmen, especially in historical contexts. For example, "phường buôn" means a merchant guild, which indicates a collective of traders working in the same trade or market.

Word Variants:

• Phường xã: Refers to both "phường" (ward) and "xã" (commune), typically used in administrative contexts.
• Phường hội: Refers to a guild or an association, often related to crafts or trades.

Different Meanings:

While "phường" generally refers to a ward or neighborhood, its meaning can shift based on context: - Modern Context: Refers to a specific area within a city where local government services are provided. - Historical Context: Refers to a guild or association of merchants or craftsmen.

Synonyms:

• Khu phố: This means "street area" or "neighborhood" and can often be used interchangeably with "phường" in casual conversation.
• Địa bàn: This means "territory" but is less specific than "phường."

Summary:

In summary, "phường" is a versatile Vietnamese word that mainly denotes a ward within a city but can also refer to a guild of merchants in a historical context.

Academic

noun

1. group; giuld; ang
   • phường buôn
     merchant guild. ward