thủ mưu

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mastermind / Principal plotter: The person who is the leader, originator, or primary architect of a secret, cunning, or bad plan, especially one involving deceit or crime.
   • Instigator / Ringleader: The individual who conceives and directs the execution of a scheme, often from behind the scenes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cảnh sát đã tìm ra thủ mưu vụ cướp ngân hàng. (The police have found the mastermind of the bank robbery.)
  • Hắn là kẻ thủ mưu đằng sau âm mưu lật đổ. (He is the instigator behind the plot to overthrow.)
  • Tòa án kết án nghiêm khắc tên thủ mưu. (The court sentenced the ringleader harshly.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "thủ mưu" is almost exclusively used in contexts involving illegal, immoral, or covert plots. It carries a strongly negative connotation.
• It is a formal term commonly found in legal, police, and news reporting contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Đầu sỏ (n): ringleader, chieftain (often used for criminal or corrupt organizations).

  • Đầu sỏ đường dây buôn lậu bị bắt. (The ringleader of the smuggling ring was arrested.)

• Chủ mưu (n): This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage to "thủ mưu".

  • Bắt giữ nghi phạm được cho là chủ mưu. (Arrest the suspect believed to be the mastermind.)

Synonyms

• Mastermind: A person who plans and directs a complex project or scheme, especially a criminal one.
• Instigator: A person who brings about or initiates something, typically something bad.
• Ringleader: A person who leads others in unlawful or mischievous activities.
• Principal plotter: The main person who devises a secret plan.

Related Idioms

• "Kẻ cầm đầu chủ mưu": This phrase reinforces the meaning, translating to "the leader who is the mastermind."
  • Nhóm điều tra nhắm vào kẻ cầm đầu chủ mưu. (The investigation team is targeting the leader who is the mastermind.)