thứ hầu
Definition
- Noun:
- Vassal: A person or state in a feudal system who owes allegiance and service to a superior lord in exchange for protection and the right to hold land.
- Subordinate: A person or entity of lower rank or secondary importance, often in a historical or formal hierarchical context.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Dưới chế độ phong kiến, các lãnh chúa thứ hầu phải cống nạp cho đức vua. (Under the feudal system, vassal lords had to pay tribute to the king.)
- Vương quốc đó từng là một thứ hầu của đế chế hùng mạnh. (That kingdom was once a vassal of the mighty empire.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily historical and academic, used to describe relationships in feudal societies, particularly in European or analogous Asian contexts like medieval Vietnam or China. It is not used in modern political or corporate contexts.
Variants and Related Words
- Chư hầu (n): A closely related term often used interchangeably with "thứ hầu" to mean vassal state or subordinate ruler.
- Nhiều nước chư hầu đã nổi dậy chống lại triều đình. (Many vassal states rebelled against the court.)
Synonyms
- Vassal: A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
- Subordinate: A person under the authority or control of another.
- Liege: A lord or sovereign to whom allegiance and service are due.
Related Concepts
- Feudalism: The dominant social system in medieval Europe, where nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were tenants of the nobles.
- Fief: The estate or land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service and loyalty.