đồng trinh

Definition

1. Noun (Archaic):
   • A sapèque; a cash coin: A historical type of small-denomination coin, typically made of copper or bronze, used in Vietnam and other parts of East Asia.
   • A half sou: In historical French colonial context, it could refer to a coin of very low value, equivalent to half a French sou.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người nông dân trả vài đồng trinh cho mớ rau. (The farmer paid a few sapèques for the vegetables.)
  • Đó chỉ là một đồng trinh, không mua được gì. (It's just a half sou, it can't buy anything.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily found in historical texts or literature describing pre-modern or colonial-era economies. It is obsolete in modern currency contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Đồng (錢): The general term for money or currency, and also the modern Vietnamese dong (VND).
• Tiền xu: Coin (modern term).
• Sapèque: The French term for this type of Asian coin, often used interchangeably.

Synonyms

• Cash coin: A small cast coin used historically.
• Sapèque: The direct French equivalent.
• Pittance: Emphasizing its extremely low value (figurative).

Related Idioms

• Không đáng một đồng trinh: Not worth a single ; utterly worthless.
  • Lời hứa của hắn không đáng một đồng trinh. (His promise isn't worth a single sapèque.)