vấn an
Definition
- 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.)