vú bõ
Definition
- Noun:
- An old domestic servant: An archaic term for a long-serving, elderly household servant, typically one who has worked for a family for many years and may hold a position of trust or familiarity.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong câu chuyện cổ, người vú bõ trung thành đã chăm sóc ba thế hệ gia đình. (In the old tale, the loyal old servant cared for three generations of the family.)
- "Vú bõ" là một từ cổ, ít được dùng trong tiếng Việt hiện đại. ("Vú bõ" is an archaic word, rarely used in modern Vietnamese.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is historical and carries connotations of a bygone era of large households with multi-generational staff. It implies a servant who is not just an employee but is considered part of the extended family due to their long service.
Variants and Related Words
- Vú em (n): A wet nurse or nanny.
- Người giúp việc (n): A domestic helper or housekeeper (modern term).
- Gia nhân (n): A domestic servant (formal, somewhat literary).
Synonyms
- Retainer: An old-fashioned term for a servant, especially one who has been with a family for a long time.
- Family retainer: Specifically emphasizes the long-term, familial aspect of the service.
- Old domestic: A simple descriptive synonym.
Notes on Usage
- Archaic: This word is obsolete and is primarily encountered in historical texts, literature, or folktales. It is not used in contemporary speech or writing.
- Connotation: While neutral in definition, it reflects the social structures of the past. Modern equivalents focus on the job function rather than the age or tenure of the servant.