Definitions

1. Noun:
   • Teacher, Master: A person, typically male, who teaches or instructs others, especially in a formal or academic setting. It also refers to a person of great skill or learning who guides others.
   • Father, Dad: A term used to address or refer to one's own father, especially in traditional, Confucian-influenced families or in certain regional dialects.
   • Sir, You (polite form): A respectful term of address for a man in a position of authority, such as a teacher, official, doctor, or lawyer, particularly in historical contexts.

Usage Examples

• As "Teacher/Master":

  • Thầy giáo tôi rất tận tâm. (My teacher is very dedicated.)
  • Ông ấy là bậc thầy về hội họa. (He is a master of painting.)
  • Con xin chào thầy ạ. (Hello, teacher. [Student to teacher])

• As "Father":

  • Thầy cháu đi công tác rồi. (My father has gone on a business trip.)
  • Con đã nghe lời thầy. (I have listened to my father's words.)

• As a respectful term of address:

  • Thưa thầy, cho phép em được trình bày. (Sir, may I present?)
  • Thầy thuốc khám bệnh rất cẩn thận. (The doctor examined the patient very carefully.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lắm thầy thối ma" (idiom): Too many cooks spoil the broth. (Literally: Many masters [cause] the ghost to rot.)
• "Thay thầy đổi chủ": To change masters/employers; a change in leadership or ownership.
• "Đạo thầy nghĩa tớ": The bond/duty between master and servant.

Variants and Related Words

• Thầy giáo (n): Teacher (specifically for male teachers or the teaching profession in general).
• Thầy thuốc (n): Doctor, physician.
• Thầy cúng (n): Ritual master, shaman.
• Thầy bói (n): Fortune teller.
• Thầy lang (n): Herbalist, traditional medicine practitioner.
• Ông thầy (n): A more colloquial or familiar term for "teacher" or "master."

Synonyms

• Giáo viên: Teacher (neutral, modern term).
• Cha, ba, bố: Father, dad (other common words for father).
• Sư phụ: Master, mentor (often used for martial arts or skilled crafts).

Related Phrases (Terms of Address)

• Thưa thầy: A polite phrase to begin speaking to a teacher or respected man.
• Bẩm thầy: To report to a superior/sir (archaic/formal).

Related Idioms

• "Không thầy đố mày làm nên": Without a teacher, you cannot succeed. (Similar to: "He who teaches me for a day is my father for a lifetime.")
• "Trọng thầy mới được làm thầy": One who respects the teacher will become a teacher. (To become a master, you must first honor masters.)

noun

1. teacher, master, father, dad