tỳ tướng
Definition
- Noun:
- Deputy general / Subordinate commander: A military officer who serves as the principal lieutenant or second-in-command to a supreme commander or main general in a historical or traditional context.
- Vice-general: A supporting commander of lower rank than the primary general, often in charge of a specific division or task under the general's overall command.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy từng là tỳ tướng trung thành dưới quyền vị đại tướng lừng danh. (He was once a loyal deputy general under the famous supreme commander.)
- Vị tỳ tướng đó chỉ huy cánh quân phía đông. (That subordinate commander led the eastern flank army.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "tỳ tướng" is now considered archaic () and is primarily found in historical texts, literature, or discussions about pre-modern Vietnamese military structures. It conveys a sense of hierarchy and loyalty within a traditional command system.
Variants and Related Words
- Đại tướng (n): supreme general, the main commander to whom a reports.
- Phó tướng (n): vice-general, a more modern or general term for a deputy commander.
Synonyms
- Lieutenant general: A high-ranking deputy military officer.
- Second-in-command: The officer ranking next below the commander.
- Aide-de-camp: A military officer acting as a confidential assistant to a senior officer.
Related Idioms
- Tâm phúc tỳ tướng: A trusted and intimate deputy general; a right-hand man known for utmost loyalty.
- Ông ta không chỉ là một tỳ tướng, mà còn là một tâm phúc tỳ tướng của chủ soái. (He was not just a deputy general, but also a trusted and intimate aide to the warlord.)