Definition

1. Noun:
   • Official: A person who holds a position of authority and responsibility in a government or administrative organization.
   • Functionary / Dignitary: A person employed to perform administrative or bureaucratic duties, often within a public institution.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Các quan chức chính phủ đã tham dự hội nghị. (Government officials attended the conference.)
  • Vị quan chức đó nổi tiếng về sự liêm khiết. (That official is famous for his integrity.)
  • Một số quan chức địa phương bị điều tra. (Some local functionaries were investigated.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a formal and institutional connotation, referring specifically to individuals within a structured hierarchy of state or party power.
• It can be used in a neutral administrative sense or, depending on context, with a critical tone implying bureaucracy or abuse of power.

Variants and Related Words

• Công chức (n): Civil servant. A public employee, typically implying a career administrative role rather than a high-ranking political appointment.

  • Cô ấy là một công chức nhà nước. (She is a state civil servant.)

• Viên chức (n): Official, functionary. A general term for salaried personnel in public service or administrative bodies.

  • Các viên chức phải tuân thủ quy định mới. (Officials must comply with the new regulations.)

Synonyms

• Official: A person holding public office or having a position of authority.
• Functionary: A person who has to perform official functions or duties.
• Dignitary: A person considered important because of high rank or office.

Related Idioms

• Quan chức cao cấp: High-ranking official.

  • Cuộc họp chỉ dành cho các quan chức cao cấp. (The meeting is only for high-ranking officials.)

• Bộ máy quan chức: The bureaucratic apparatus/officialdom.

  • Bộ máy quan chức đôi khi hoạt động rất chậm chạp. (The bureaucratic apparatus sometimes operates very slowly.)