Definition

1. Verb (archaic, formal):
   • To inquire after someone's health / to pay a courtesy call: A formal and respectful act of asking about or checking on someone's well-being, typically used in historical, literary, or very polite contexts. It implies a visit or message of respectful concern.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sứ giả đến vấn an nhà vua. (The envoy came to inquire after the king's health.)
  • Con cái thường xuyên vấn an cha mẹ. (Children regularly inquire after their parents' well-being.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily found in classical literature, historical texts, or used in very formal, respectful speech. It is not common in everyday modern conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Thăm hỏi (v): to visit and ask after, to inquire. This is the modern, common equivalent.
  • Chúng tôi đến thăm hỏi người bệnh. (We visited to inquire after the sick person.)

Synonyms

• To pay one's respects: to visit someone as a sign of respect.
• To inquire after: to ask about someone's condition, especially their health.

Related Idioms

• Vấn an tĩnh thánh: An extremely formal and reverent phrase meaning "to inquire after the sage's peace/health," used in contexts of deep respect for a revered teacher or figure.
  • Các môn đệ đến vấn an tĩnh thánh thầy của họ. (The disciples came to reverently inquire after their master's peace.)