tốt đen
Definition
- Noun:
- Black pawn: In the Vietnamese card game Tam Cúc, a specific piece (the "pawn" or "tốt") that is marked with a black symbol, distinguishing it from the red-marked "tốt đỏ." It is a low-ranking piece in the game's hierarchy.
- Insignificant person (figurative, archaic): A metaphorical term for a person of low social status, a commoner, or an individual with little power or influence. This usage is now considered old-fashioned.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong ván bài, anh ấy chỉ còn quân tốt đen. (In the game, he only has the black pawn left.)
- Dưới chế độ phong kiến, họ bị coi như những tốt đen trong xã hội. (Under the feudal regime, they were regarded as insignificant commoners in society.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in the context of the traditional card game or in historical/literary contexts to evoke a bygone social structure. Its figurative use is rare in modern conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Tốt đỏ (n): The red pawn in , which outranks the .
- Tam Cúc (n): The traditional Vietnamese card game for which this piece is used.
- Quân tốt (n): The general term for the "pawn" piece in or in chess.
Synonyms
- Commoner: A person without noble rank or title.
- Plebeian: A member of the common people.
- Underling: A subordinate (closer in meaning to the low-ranking game piece).
Related Idioms
- No common idioms directly feature tốt đen. Its usage is largely literal (within the game) or as a standalone metaphorical noun.