tư thông

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To commit adultery / to have illicit sexual relations: The primary meaning refers to a secret or forbidden sexual relationship, typically between a man and a woman who are not married to each other.
    • To collude secretly / to be in clandestine communication with: A secondary, figurative meaning describes having a covert, often treacherous, connection or understanding with another party, such as an enemy.
Usage Examples

  • Verb (illicit relations):

    • Hai người đó bị bắt quả tang tư thông. (Those two were caught in the act of committing adultery.)
    • Câu chuyện kể về mối tình tư thông bí mật. (The story tells of a secret, illicit love affair.)

  • Verb (secret collusion):

    • Viên tướng bị nghi ngờ tư thông với quân địch. (The general was suspected of colluding secretly with the enemy forces.)
    • Hành động tư thông với bên ngoài để trục lợi là phản bội. (The act of clandestinely communicating with an outside party for personal gain is betrayal.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term "tư thông" carries a strong negative moral judgment and is often used in legal, historical, or literary contexts to describe serious misconduct.
  • In modern usage, the first meaning (adultery) is more common, while the second (collusion) is often found in historical or political narratives.
Variants and Related Words
  • Thông dâm (v): A synonym specifically meaning to commit adultery or fornication.
    • Tội thông dâm bị lên án trong xã hội cũ. (The crime of adultery was condemned in old society.)
Synonyms
  • Commit adultery: To engage in a sexual relationship outside of marriage.
  • Fornicate: To have sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other (often used in religious contexts).
  • Collude: To conspire or cooperate secretly for a deceitful purpose.
  • Conspire: To secretly plan with others to do something unlawful or harmful.
Related Idioms
  • Tư thông với giặc: A fixed historical/political phrase meaning "to collude with the enemy" or "to be in treasonous communication with the enemy."
    • Kẻ nào tư thông với giặc sẽ bị trừng trị thích đáng. (Anyone who colludes with the enemy will be duly punished.)