quốc sư
Definition
- Noun:
- National Preceptor / Royal Preceptor: A historical title for a highly respected scholar or monk appointed as the primary teacher and advisor to a crown prince or the king.
- Royal Strategist / King's Counselor: A top-ranking advisor to the monarch, responsible for providing critical counsel on matters of state, strategy, and governance.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Vị quốc sư đã dạy dỗ thái tử từ nhỏ. (The National Preceptor taught the crown prince from a young age.)
- Nhà vua luôn tin tưởng hỏi ý kiến của quốc sư trước mọi quyết định quan trọng. (The king always trusted and sought the opinion of the Royal Strategist before every important decision.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "quốc sư" is primarily used in historical contexts, referring to figures in feudal Vietnamese dynasties or similar East Asian imperial courts. It implies a position of immense intellectual authority and moral influence.
Variants and Related Words
- Quân sư (n): Military advisor or strategist. This term is more specifically focused on military counsel.
- Ông ấy là quân sư đắc lực của tướng quân. (He is an effective military strategist for the general.)
Synonyms
- Royal Tutor: A teacher for royal children.
- Chief Counselor: The main advisor to a ruler.
- Senior Advisor: A high-level consultant on state affairs.
Related Idioms
- While there is no direct idiom with "quốc sư", the concept is related to proverbs about wisdom and counsel, such as the idea of a ruler "kính thầy trọng đạo" (respecting the teacher and valuing the teachings).