thủ túc
Definition
Noun:
- Hands and feet: The literal meaning refers to the physical limbs, the hands and feet of a person.
- Right-hand man / trusted aide: A figurative meaning denoting a close, indispensable assistant or subordinate who carries out one's orders, akin to one's own hands and feet.
Noun (archaic/pejorative):
- Lackey; henchman: A subordinate follower, often used in a slightly derogatory sense to imply blind loyalty or servitude.
Usage Examples
- Noun (literal):
- Anh bị thương ở thủ túc. (He was injured in his hands and feet.)
- Noun (figurative):
- Hắn ta là thủ túc đắc lực của tên trùm. (He is the boss's capable right-hand man.)
- Bọn thủ túc đã vây quanh kẻ cầm đầu. (The henchmen surrounded the leader.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in literary, historical, or formal contexts to describe loyal subordinates within an organization, gang, or political structure.
- It carries a connotation of utility and direct service, comparing the subordinate's role to the function of one's own limbs.
Variants and Related Words
- Chân tay: This is the more common and neutral modern term for "limbs" (hands and feet) and is also used figuratively to mean "subordinate" or "operative."
- Nó là chân tay thân tín của ông chủ. (He is the boss's trusted operative.)
Synonyms
- Subordinate: A person of lower rank.
- Aide: An assistant.
- Henchman: A loyal follower, especially one who engages in unscrupulous acts.
- Lackey: A servile follower.
Related Idioms
- Như thủ túc: Like hands and feet; used to describe a very close, cooperative, and indispensable relationship.
- Họ hợp tác với nhau như thủ túc. (They cooperate like hands and feet [inseparably].)