Definition

1. Verb (Historical / Archaic):
   • To conscript soldiers; to levy troops: The primary meaning of "trưng binh" is the historical act of summoning or drafting men into military service, typically by a government or local authority.
   • To mobilize; to call to arms: It refers to the official process of raising an army, often in response to a conflict or war.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhà vua ra lệnh trưng binh trên toàn quốc. (The king ordered a nationwide conscription of soldiers.)
  • Trong thời chiến, chính quyền địa phương có quyền trưng binh. (During wartime, the local authority had the right to levy troops.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "trưng binh" is almost exclusively used in historical contexts, referring to feudal or pre-modern military conscription systems in Vietnam. It is not used for modern military drafts.

Variants and Related Words

• Trưng tập (v): to muster, to call up (reserves). This term can be used in more modern contexts than "trưng binh."

  • Trung đoàn được lệnh trưng tập binh sĩ dự bị. (The regiment was ordered to call up reserve soldiers.)

• Động viên (v): to mobilize (in a general sense, including economic or social mobilization, not solely military).

  • Chính phủ động viên nhân dân tham gia kháng chiến. (The government mobilized the people to join the resistance.)

Synonyms

• Conscript: to enlist someone compulsorily into the armed forces.
• Levy: to impose and collect (a force, especially troops).
• Enlist: to enroll or be enrolled in the armed services.
• Muster: to assemble (troops), especially for inspection or preparation for battle.

Related Idioms

• Trưng binh mãi mã: This phrase describes the historical practice of conscripting soldiers and purchasing horses for the military, representing the full mobilization of resources for war.