thân tín
Definition
Adjective:
- Trusted and close: Describes a person who is both intimately close to someone (often in a personal or professional hierarchy) and is completely reliable or trustworthy. This term implies a deep bond of loyalty and confidentiality.
Noun:
- A trusted confidant: Refers to the person who holds such a position of intimate trust and reliability, often an aide, advisor, or close associate.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Ông ấy là trợ lý thân tín của giám đốc. (He is the director's trusted aide.)
- Chỉ những người thân tín mới biết kế hoạch này. (Only trusted confidants know this plan.)
Noun:
- Hãy giao việc này cho thân tín của anh. (Entrust this task to your confidant.)
- Những thân tín của ông ta đều rất trung thành. (All of his trusted confidants are very loyal.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contexts involving power, leadership, business, or politics to denote an inner circle. It carries a stronger connotation than just "trusted," combining familial-like closeness with unwavering reliability.
Variants and Related Words
- Thân cận (adj): Close, intimate (emphasizes physical or relational proximity, but may not fully convey the "trust" element of ).
- Tín nhiệm (v/n): To trust, confidence (emphasizes trust and reliability, but lacks the "close personal bond" element of ).
Synonyms
- Confidant (n): A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter.
- Trusted aide (n): A reliable assistant.
- Close and trusted (adj): Intimate and reliable.
Related Idioms
- While "thân tín" itself is not typically part of a common idiom, the concept is central to phrases like:
- Vòng trong thân tín: The inner circle of trusted confidants.
- Mọi quyết định quan trọng đều từ vòng trong thân tín của ông ấy. (All important decisions come from his inner circle of confidants.)