Definition

Noun: - Life, the world, the state of affairs: Refers to the general condition or course of human life and worldly affairs, often with a philosophical or somewhat cynical nuance about its complexities and vicissitudes. It is a somewhat literary and old-fashioned term.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy am hiểu thế cục. (He understands the ways of the world / the state of life.)
  • Kìa thế cục như in giấc mộng. (Behold, life is just like a printed dream.) - A classical literary quote illustrating life's illusory nature.

Advanced Usage

• The word thế cục is primarily used in literary, philosophical, or reflective contexts. It is not common in everyday modern conversation. It often carries a tone of worldly wisdom, resignation, or commentary on the fleeting and complex nature of human existence.

Variants and Related Words

• Thế cuộc (noun): A variant with the same meaning (life, the world, the general situation). This is noted in historical dictionaries as being equivalent.
• Thế sự (noun): Worldly affairs; the events and matters of the world. This is a more common modern synonym.
• Cuộc đời (noun): Life. This is the standard, neutral, and most common modern term for "life".

Synonyms

• Cuộc đời: Life.
• Thế sự: Worldly affairs.
• Nhân sinh: Human life (philosophical).
• Trần thế: This mortal world.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of thế cục encompasses both "life" as an experience and "the world" as a stage for human affairs. The reference definition "life" is accurate but should be understood in this broader, more contextual sense rather than simply biological life. It implies the totality of social and existential conditions.

noun

1. life