Definition

Noun: - Taxes and levies: A collective term for mandatory financial charges, specifically referring to the head tax (sưu) and various other taxes (thuế) imposed by feudal or colonial authorities. The term often carries a historical connotation of heavy or burdensome exactions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chế độ phong kiến áp đặt nhiều loại sưu thuế nặng nề lên dân chúng. (The feudal regime imposed many heavy taxes and levies on the people.)
  • Nhân dân vùng đó đã nổi dậy chống lại sưu thuế. (The people in that region revolted against the taxes.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "sưu thuế" is primarily used in historical contexts to describe the taxation systems of pre-modern Vietnam, especially under feudal dynasties or French colonial rule. It is less commonly used for modern taxation.

Variants and Related Words

• Thuế (n): tax. A more general and modern term for any compulsory financial charge.
  • Thuế thu nhập (income tax).
• Sưu dịch (n): corvée; a form of forced labor or conscription, often mentioned alongside as another burden on the populace.

Synonyms

• Taxes: compulsory financial charges.
• Levies: imposed charges or taxes.
• Imposts: a formal term for taxes or duties.

Related Idioms

• While not a standalone idiom, the phrase "sưu cao thuế nặng" (high head tax and heavy taxes) is a common historical expression describing oppressive taxation.
  • Đời sống khổ cực vì sưu cao thuế nặng. (Life was miserable because of high taxes and levies.)

noun

1. taxes and fees