võ tướng
Definition
- Noun:
- A military commander; a general: Historically, a high-ranking officer who leads armies in battle. The term emphasizes martial prowess and strategic command, often used in historical or literary contexts.
- The appearance or bearing of a military man: Describes a person's physiognomy or demeanor that is characteristically brave, strong, and authoritative, like that of a warrior.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Vị võ tướng đó đã lãnh đạo quân đội đến chiến thắng. (That military commander led the army to victory.)
- Ông ấy có khuôn mặt của một võ tướng. (He has the face of a military man.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "võ tướng" is considered somewhat literary or archaic. In modern Vietnamese, words like "tướng quân" (general) or "tướng lĩnh" (commanding officer) are more common for the primary meaning.
- It is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a leader in any competitive field who is tough and strategic.
Variants and Related Words
- Vũ tướng (noun): An alternate, less common spelling with the same meaning.
- Tướng quân (noun): General, a more standard term for a military leader.
- Nguyên soái (noun): Marshal, a supreme military rank.
- Võ quan (noun): A martial/military official.
Synonyms
- General: A high-ranking military officer.
- Commander: A person in authority over a body of troops.
- Warlord: A military commander exercising civil power.
Related Idioms
- Tướng võ, tướng văn: Literally "military generals and civilian generals," referring to different types of leaders or officials, often used to describe a balanced leadership team.