thất lộc
Definition
- Verb (archaic):
- To die; to pass away: An archaic and formal term used specifically to refer to the death of a person who held an official position, rank, or title. It conveys a sense of losing one's official emolument or fortune.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Từ khi mẹ tôi thất lộc. (Ever since my mother passed away.)
- Vị quan lớn ấy đã thất lộc. (That high-ranking mandarin has died.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is considered obsolete in modern Vietnamese and is found primarily in historical texts, classical literature, or formal obituaries for officials. Its usage today would be very rare and intentionally archaic.
Word Origin and Notes
- The word is a compound of "thất" (to lose) and "lộc" (emolument, salary, fortune bestowed by a ruler). It literally means "to lose one's official salary/fortune," a euphemism for death, as the person no longer receives their official stipend.
Synonyms
- Qua đời: to pass away (modern, polite).
- Từ trần: to depart from life (formal).
- Mất: to die (neutral, most common).
- Băng hà: to pass away (used exclusively for royalty/emperors).
Related Idioms
- Thất thế: to lose power and position.
- Thất sủng: to fall out of favor.