Definition

1. Noun:
   • Minister of Works: A high-ranking official title in the feudal mandarinate system of Vietnam and ancient China, responsible for overseeing civil affairs, public works, and land management.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy được phong chức Tư không. (He was conferred the title of Minister of Works.)
  • Chức Tư không là một trong những chức quan trọng yếu thời xưa. (The position of Minister of Works was one of the key official posts in ancient times.)

Advanced Usage

• The title is part of the "Tam Công" (Three Dukes) or "Tam Tư" (Three Ministers) in the traditional East Asian bureaucratic system, often ranking below "Thái sư" (Grand Preceptor) and "Thái phó" (Grand Mentor).

Variants and Related Words

• Tam Tư: The Three Ministers, a collective term often referring to high-ranking officials like Tư đồ (Minister of Education), Tư mã (Minister of War), and Tư không (Minister of Works).

Synonyms

• Minister of Public Works: A direct functional translation.
• Director of Civil Affairs: A descriptive synonym reflecting the role's duties.

Related Historical Context

• In the Lý and Trần dynasties of Vietnam, the Tư không was a senior mandarin involved in state administration, construction projects, and land census.