viên ông
Definition
- Noun:
- Old gardener / elderly groundskeeper: A respectful term for an older man whose job is to take care of a garden, park, or estate. The term combines "viên" (a person in charge of a specific area, like a park warden) and "ông" (a respectful term for an elderly man or gentleman).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Viên ông đang tỉa cây trong vườn thượng uyển. (The old gardener is pruning trees in the imperial garden.)
- Chúng tôi thường nói chuyện với viên ông trông coi công viên. (We often talk with the elderly groundskeeper who looks after the park.)
Advanced Usage
- This is a somewhat literary or old-fashioned term, often evoking a traditional or historical setting, such as in a royal garden, a temple compound, or a large, old estate. In modern, everyday contexts, terms like "người làm vườn" (gardener) or "bảo vệ" (guard/watchman) are more common.
Variants and Related Words
- Người làm vườn (n): Gardener.
- Người làm vườn mới trồng nhiều hoa hồng. (The new gardener planted many roses.)
- Người trông coi (n): Caretaker, keeper.
- Người trông coi tòa nhà rất cẩn thận. (The building caretaker is very careful.)
Synonyms
- Gardener
- Groundskeeper
- Caretaker (of a garden/park)
Notes on Usage
- The term "viên ông" carries a tone of respect and is typically used to refer to a specific, known individual in a formal or established role, rather than as a general job title. It is not commonly used in contemporary spoken Vietnamese for modern gardening jobs.