thập đạo
Definition
- Noun:
- A crossroads; an intersection shaped like a cross (+ or ×): This is the primary and most concrete meaning, referring to a place where two roads or paths cross each other, forming a cross shape.
- (Historical, Military) The ten military circuits/regions; the national army: In the historical and administrative context of feudal Vietnam (particularly the Lý and Trần dynasties), "thập đạo" referred to the organization of the national army into ten major regional corps or circuits.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Crossroads):
- Quán cà phê nằm ngay thập đạo của hai con phố chính. (The coffee shop is located right at the crossroads of two main streets.)
- Noun (Historical):
- Vua Lý Thái Tổ chia quân đội thành thập đạo. (King Lý Thái Tổ divided the army into ten military circuits.)
Advanced Usage
- "thập đạo tướng quân": (Historical Title) A supreme military commander or generalissimo, likely the commander overseeing the entire "thập đạo" army.
- Ông được phong chức thập đạo tướng quân. (He was conferred the title of Generalissimo.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ngã tư (n): A four-way intersection, a common synonym for a crossroads.
- Rẽ phải ở ngã tư phía trước. (Turn right at the intersection ahead.)
- Giao lộ (n): A general term for a road junction or intersection.
- Giao lộ này rất đông đúc. (This junction is very crowded.)
Synonyms
- Crossroads: A place where two roads cross.
- Intersection: A point where two or more things intersect, especially roads.
- (Historical) Army corps / Military regions: Large military units or administrative military districts.
Related Idioms
- Đứng giữa thập đạo: To stand at a crossroads (literally and figuratively), meaning to be at a critical point where an important decision must be made.
- Sự nghiệp của anh ấy đang đứng giữa thập đạo. (His career is at a crossroads.)