đô thành

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The Vietnamese word "đô thành" refers to a "capital city" or "imperial city." It is often used to describe a city that serves as the political and administrative center of a region or a country, especially during a historical period when it was ruled by a monarchy.

Basic Explanation:

• Meaning: "Đô thành" literally translates to "capital city" in English. Historically, it refers to cities that were the seat of power for rulers, particularly during the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "đô thành" when talking about historical capitals or significant cities in Vietnam. It’s particularly relevant when discussing the Nguyen Dynasty or other periods in Vietnamese history.

Example:

• "Huế là đô thành của triều Nguyễn." (Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty.)

Advanced Usage:

• In historical texts or discussions about Vietnamese history, "đô thành" can be used to refer to the cultural and political importance of a city. For example, you might say:
  • "Đô thành Huế đã đóng vai trò quan trọng trong lịch sử Việt Nam." (The imperial city of Hue played an important role in Vietnamese history.)

Word Variants:

• Đô: This can refer to a city or urban area in a broader sense.
• Thành: This means "city" or "city wall," often used in place names (e.g., "thành phố" means "city").

Different Meanings:

• While "đô thành" generally refers to a capital or imperial city, in a modern context, it can also be used more loosely to refer to any major city, although this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

• "Thủ đô": This means "capital" in a more general sense and can refer to the current capital city of Vietnam, which is Hanoi.
• "Thành phố": This means "city" and can refer to any urban area, not necessarily a capital.

Summary:

"Đô thành" is a significant term in Vietnamese that refers to the historical and cultural importance of a city, particularly as a center of power.

Academic

1. Royal (imperial) capital
   • Huế trước là đô thành nhà Nguyễn
     Hue was the Nguyens' imperial capital
2. Capital; city