Definition

1. Noun:

   • General, military commander: A high-ranking military officer, historically the commander of an army.
   • King (in chess): The most important piece in the game of Chinese chess (cờ tướng), equivalent to the "king" in Western chess.
   • Physiognomy, appearance: The overall look of a person's face and body, often considered to reflect their character, abilities, or fate.
   • (Informal, slang) Guy, dude: A familiar, often playful term used to address peers or younger people.

2. Adjective (Informal):

   • Very large, huge: Used to describe something of considerable size or volume.

3. Adverb (Informal):

   • Very, extremely: Used before an adjective to intensify its meaning, indicating a high degree.

Usage Examples

• Noun (General):

  • Ông ấy là một vị tướng tài ba. (He is a talented general.)
  • Trong cờ tướng, phải bảo vệ quân tướng. (In Chinese chess, you must protect the king piece.)

• Noun (Physiognomy):

  • Ông thầy bói xem tướng cho cô ấy. (The fortune teller read her physiognomy.)
  • Anh ta có tướng người lương thiện. (He has the appearance of an honest person.)

• Noun (Informal: Guy):

  • Này các tướng, đi ăn trưa thôi! (Hey guys, let's go for lunch!)

• Adjective (Large):

  • Nó mang một gói hàng tướng. (He carried a huge package.)

• Adverb (Very):

  • Cái nhà này to tướng. (This house is very big.)
  • Nó kêu tướng lên khi bị đau. (He yelled very loudly when he was in pain.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lên tướng": To be promoted to the rank of general; (slang) to level up or achieve a high status in a game or field.

  • Sau trận thắng, ông ta được lên tướng. (After the victory, he was promoted to general.)
  • Chơi game giỏi quá, sắp lên tướng rồi. (You play so well, you're about to level up to a high rank.)

• "Tướng cướp": Bandit leader, robber chieftain.

  • Cảnh sát đã bắt được tướng cướp. (The police caught the bandit leader.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tướng mạo (n): Appearance, looks (more formal than "tướng" alone).

  • Tướng mạo của anh ấy rất đường hoàng. (His appearance is very dignified.)

• Tướng số (n): Fortune or destiny as read from one's physiognomy.

  • Bà ta đi coi tướng số. (She went to have her fortune told.)

• Tướng tá (n): Generals and officers; (colloquial) appearance, bearing.

  • Quân đội có đầy đủ tướng tá. (The army has all its generals and officers.)
  • Nhìn tướng tá của hắn thì biết không phải người tốt. (Looking at his bearing, you can tell he's not a good person.)

Synonyms

• Danh tướng (n): Famous general.
• Dung mạo (n): Features, countenance (for appearance).
• Vẻ mặt (n): Facial expression.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Xem tướng (v): To tell fortune by reading someone's face/physiognomy.

  • Ngày xưa, người ta thường đi xem tướng. (In the old days, people often went to have their fortune told.)

• Chiếu tướng (v): (In chess) To check (the king).

  • Tôi chiếu tướng đối thủ. (I put my opponent's king in check.)

Related Idioms

• "Tướng bất quá tham, binh bất quá cướp": (Old saying) A general's flaw is greed, a soldier's flaw is looting. (Describes inherent negative traits in certain roles.)
• "Mặt tướng": Having the appearance (of something, often negative).
  • Nó có mặt tướng lười biếng. (He has the look of a lazy person.)

noun

1. general
2. (cờ) king physiognomy