tinh binh
Definition
- Noun:
- Elite troops / Crack troops: The primary meaning of "tinh binh" refers to highly trained, skilled, and effective soldiers or military units, often serving as the core or best part of an army. This term is now considered literary or archaic.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nhà vua tin tưởng giao nhiệm vụ quan trọng cho đội tinh binh. (The king entrusted the important mission to the elite troops.)
- Đội tinh binh của vị tướng đó chưa từng thua một trận nào. (That general's crack troops have never lost a battle.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "tinh binh" is primarily found in historical, literary, or formal contexts, such as in historical novels, films, or texts discussing traditional warfare. It is not commonly used in modern everyday language to describe contemporary military forces.
Variants and Related Words
- Quân tinh nhuệ (n): Elite forces. This is a more modern and commonly used synonym.
- Lực lượng đặc nhiệm là quân tinh nhuệ của quân đội. (The special forces are the elite troops of the military.)
Synonyms
- Elite soldiers: Soldiers of the highest quality.
- Crack troops: Exceptionally skilled military units.
- Picked troops: Soldiers carefully selected for their ability.
Related Idioms
- While "tinh binh" itself is not typically part of a common idiom, the concept is related to phrases emphasizing quality over quantity in a military context, such as "tinh binh mạnh tướng" (elite troops and a strong general), denoting a powerful, well-led force.