đả tử

Definition
  1. Verb (rare, archaic):
    • To beat to death; to strike fatally: The term describes the act of hitting or striking someone with the result of causing their death. It implies a violent physical assault leading to a fatal outcome.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • Bạo chúa tàn ác ra lệnh đả tử bất kỳ ai phản đối. (The cruel tyrant ordered to beat to death anyone who opposed.)
    • Trong câu chuyện cổ, tên cướp đã bị đả tử ngay tại chỗ. (In the old tale, the robber was struck dead on the spot.)
Advanced Usage
  • This term is primarily found in historical, literary, or legal contexts describing extreme punishment or violent acts. It is not used in modern everyday conversation.
Variants and Related Words
  • Đả thương (v): to wound by beating; to injure through striking.

    • Hắn chỉ ý định đả thương, không phải đả tử. (He only intended to wound, not to kill.)
  • Hành hình (v): to execute; to carry out a death sentence.

  • Ám sát (v): to assassinate; to murder secretly.
Synonyms
  • To beat to death: to kill by repeated blows.
  • To strike dead: to kill with a single or several forceful strikes.
  • To bludgeon: to kill by beating with a heavy object.
Notes on Usage
  • "Đả tử" is an obsolete and rare term in contemporary Vietnamese. Its use is almost exclusively confined to classical texts, historical accounts, or specific legal/formal descriptions of capital punishment by beating.
  • Modern equivalents would typically use more common phrases like "đánh chết" (to beat to death) or "giết" (to kill).