thợ nề
Definition
- Noun:
- Bricklayer; Mason: A skilled craftsperson who builds structures by laying bricks, concrete blocks, or other masonry units. Their work involves constructing walls, foundations, partitions, and other structural elements.
- Construction Worker (general): In common usage, the term can broadly refer to a manual laborer on a construction site, particularly one involved in building work.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Người thợ nề đang xây một bức tường gạch. (The bricklayer is building a brick wall.)
- Công việc của một thợ nề đòi hỏi sức khỏe và sự khéo léo. (The work of a mason requires strength and skill.)
- Nhóm thợ nề sẽ bắt đầu công trình vào tuần tới. (The team of construction workers will begin the project next week.)
Advanced Usage
- The term specifies a traditional and essential trade in the construction industry. It often implies skilled manual labor, distinguishing it from other construction roles like carpenters or electricians.
Variants and Related Words
Thợ xây (n): A synonym for bricklayer or construction worker. The terms are often used interchangeably.
- Thợ xây đang trộn vữa. (The construction worker is mixing mortar.)
Thợ hồ (n): Specifically refers to a plasterer or renderer, a worker who applies plaster to walls. This is a related but more specialized trade.
- Thợ hồ làm phẳng bề mặt tường. (The plasterer smoothens the wall surface.)
Synonyms
- Mason: A skilled worker who builds with stone, brick, or concrete blocks.
- Bricklayer: A craftsperson specialized in laying bricks.
- Construction worker: A general term for a laborer on a building site.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Chân tay thợ nề: Literally "hands and feet of a mason." Used to describe rough, calloused, or unrefined hands from manual labor.
- Bàn tay chai sạn như chân tay thợ nề. (Hands as rough and calloused as a mason's.)
Cứng như thợ nề: Literally "stubborn as a mason." A colloquial expression describing someone who is very stubborn or inflexible.
- Ông ấy cứng đầu cứng như thợ nề. (He is as stubborn as a mason.)