tớ thầy

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pair or relationship of servant and master: This term refers to the two parties in a traditional, hierarchical service relationship, specifically the servant ("tớ") and the master ("thầy"). It denotes the dyad or the bond between them.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Quan hệ tớ thầy ngày xưa rất phổ biến. (The servant-master relationship was very common in the past.)
  • Câu chuyện kể về tình bạn vượt qua quan hệ tớ thầy. (The story tells of a friendship that transcends the servant-master bond.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to describe a strict, formal, and unequal relationship governed by duty and respect, contrasting with more modern, egalitarian relationships.

Variants and Related Words

• Tớ (n): servant, attendant.

  • Người tớ trung thành. (The loyal servant.)

• Thầy (n): master, teacher, sir (a respectful term for a man, often one who teaches or commands).

  • Thầy giáo của tôi. (My teacher.)

Synonyms

• Master and servant: The pair consisting of the person in authority and the person who serves.
• Lord and vassal: A feudal relationship of obligation and service.

Related Idioms

• While "tớ thầy" itself is a compound noun, it is central to understanding historical social structures. An associated concept is:
  • Trọng nghĩa tớ thầy: To value the righteousness/duty of the servant-master relationship.

    • Xã hội phong kiến trọng nghĩa tớ thầy. (Feudal society valued the duty of the servant-master relationship.)