Definition

1. Noun:
   • Funeral trumpeter: A person whose profession is to play the trumpet at funerals. This term is now considered archaic and refers to a specific historical occupation within traditional Vietnamese funeral processions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông nội tôi từng là một thợ kèn. (My grandfather used to be a funeral trumpeter.)
  • Tiếng kèn của những người thợ kèn vang lên trong đám tang. (The sound of the trumpets from the funeral trumpeters echoed during the funeral.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "thợ kèn" specifically denotes a musician for hire in a funeral context, not a general musician or trumpeter. It evokes imagery of traditional funeral customs that are less common today.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhạc công đám ma (n): Funeral musician. A more modern and general term for musicians who perform at funerals.
• Thổi kèn (v): To play the trumpet or horn.

Synonyms

• Funeral horn player: A direct descriptive synonym.
• Funeral musician: A more general term.

Cultural Note

• Historically, "thợ kèn" were hired as part of a band to lead funeral processions, their music intended to guide the spirit and express communal grief. The occupation is closely tied to traditional Vietnamese folk beliefs and practices surrounding death.