tay thước

Một người đàn ông cầm tay thước trong tay.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A wooden staff or cudgel: A long, square wooden stick approximately one armspan in length, traditionally used as a simple weapon or tool.
   • A measuring stick (archaic/literal): The term can be interpreted literally as "hand ruler," referring to a stick used for measuring, though its primary historical use is as a weapon.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tên cướp cầm tay thước đe dọa mọi người. (The robber brandished a wooden staff to threaten everyone.)
  • Trong tay hắn là một cây tay thước dài. (In his hand was a long wooden cudgel.)
  • Ông già dùng tay thước để đuổi chó. (The old man used a wooden staff to chase dogs away.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "tay thước" is now considered somewhat archaic and is primarily found in historical or literary contexts describing traditional weapons, rural life, or simple tools.

Variants and Related Words

• Gậy (n): A general term for a stick, rod, or pole. It is a more common and modern word.

  • Hắn chống gậy khi đi. (He uses a walking stick when he walks.)

• Dùi cui (n): A baton or truncheon, typically used by police or as a modern weapon.

  • Cảnh sát cầm dùi cui. (The police officer holds a baton.)

Synonyms

• Staff: A long stick used for support or as a weapon.
• Cudgel: A short, thick stick used as a weapon.
• Club: A heavy stick used as a weapon.

Related Idioms

• While "tay thước" itself is not commonly used in idioms, the concept appears in phrases about force or measurement.
• Nắm thước trong tay: To hold the measuring stick in hand; figuratively, to have the authority to judge or set standards.
  • Giám khảo nắm thước trong tay. (The judge holds the measuring stick in hand.)