trưng binh
Definition
- 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.