trầm hà
Definition
- Verb (archaic, literary):
- To drown in a river: The act of executing someone or causing someone to die by submerging them in a river. This term specifically refers to a historical method of capital punishment or murder.
- To be drowned in a river: The passive state of being executed or killed via this method.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Kẻ phản nghịch bị kết án trầm hà. (The rebel was sentenced to be drowned in the river.)
- Truyền thuyết kể rằng nàng đã bị trầm hà. (The legend tells that she was drowned in the river.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is almost exclusively found in historical, literary, or formal contexts describing ancient punishments or fates. It is not used in modern everyday language.
Variants and Related Words
- Trầm thuỷ (v, archaic): A synonym meaning "to drown in water." It has a slightly broader application than "trầm hà," which specifies a river.
- Xử trầm (v, archaic): To execute by drowning.
Synonyms
- To drown (as a form of execution): To kill by submerging in water.
- To submerge (with fatal intent): To force under water until death.
Related Idioms
- Bị kết án trầm hà: To be condemned to death by drowning in a river. This is a fixed historical/legal phrase.
- Theo án lệ cũ, tội đó có thể bị kết án trầm hà. (According to old jurisprudence, that crime could be punishable by drowning.)