thợ kèn
Definition
- 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.