tuần đinh
Definition
- Noun (Historical):
- A patrolman or watchman: In feudal times or during the French colonial period in Vietnam, a "tuần đinh" was a low-ranking official or village helper responsible for patrolling, keeping watch, and maintaining local security.
- A customs guard or exciseman: Specifically, a "tuần đinh" could be a guard working for the customs or excise department, tasked with inspecting goods and preventing smuggling (e.g., of opium).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Tuần đinh canh gác ở đầu làng. (The watchman kept guard at the village entrance.)
- Bọn tuần đinh khám xét thuyền buôn lậu. (The customs guards inspected the smuggler's boat.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "tuần đinh" is now largely historical and archaic. It evokes the administrative and social structures of pre-modern Vietnam and the colonial era. It is found in historical documents, literature, and discussions about the past.
Variants and Related Words
- Tuần phu (n): A closely related historical term for a patrolman or guard, often used interchangeably with "tuần đinh."
- Lính tuần (n): Another term meaning patrol soldier or guard.
Synonyms
- Watchman: A person who keeps watch, especially at night.
- Patrolman: A person who patrols an area to maintain order.
- Customs guard: An officer responsible for guarding customs points and preventing smuggling.
Related Concepts
- Lính thương chính: An old term for customs/excise soldiers, describing the same role as the second definition of "tuần đinh."
- Canh phòng: The act of guarding or keeping watch, which was the primary duty of a "tuần đinh."