Definition

Noun: 1. A common man; a plebeian: Refers to an ordinary man from the lower social classes in feudal or old societal contexts. 2. An ignorant, vulgar, or worthless man: Used contemptuously to describe a man considered uneducated, lowly, or despicable, reflecting outdated, elitist views.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hắn chỉ là một thất phu, chẳng có học vấn gì. (He is just an ignorant commoner, with no education.)
  • Quan niệm cũ coi thường hạng thất phu. (The old ideology looked down upon the rabble.)
  • "Đồ thất phu!" hắn quát lên trong cơn giận. ("You worthless lout!" he shouted in anger.)

Advanced Usage

• The term thất phu is archaic and carries strong pejorative and classist connotations. It is primarily found in historical texts, classical literature, or used for dramatic, insulting effect to evoke an old-fashioned sense of contempt. It is not used in modern, neutral, or polite conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Thất phu thất phụ (idiomatic phrase): A set phrase meaning "the common rabble" or "the ignorant masses," referring collectively to ordinary, uneducated men and women.
• Phàm phu tục tử (idiom): Another classical, derogatory term for "ordinary, vulgar people."

Synonyms

• Kẻ tầm thường: Mediocre/ordinary person.
• Kẻ vô học: Ignoramus; uneducated person.
• Kẻ thô lỗ: Boor; vulgar person.
• Dân đen (historical): Commoners; the black-clad masses (common people).

Notes on Meaning

1. Historical/Social Class Meaning: Literally "lost man" or "failed man," it originally denoted a man without rank, scholarship, or virtue—a commoner. This meaning is tied to Confucian-influenced social hierarchies.
2. Pejorative/Insulting Meaning: The more frequent use is as a direct insult implying stupidity, coarseness, and low moral character. It is a stronger, more classical insult than modern equivalents like "đồ ngu" (you idiot).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Thất phu chi nộ: The rage of a common man. This idiom describes the anger of an ignorant person, considered to be of little consequence or easily provoked. It implies the anger is brutish and not based on reason.
  • Cơn giận của hắn chẳng qua chỉ là thất phu chi nộ mà thôi. (His anger is merely the rage of a common brute, nothing more.)

noun

1. member of the rabble