The Vietnamese word "gông cùm" refers to a type of restraint or shackles, often used in the context of imprisonment or punishment. It can be understood as "cangue" and "stocks," which are forms of physical restraint used historically to confine a person, usually as a means of punishment.
You can use "gông cùm" in both a literal and metaphorical sense. When talking about actual restraints, it refers to the physical devices used to bind someone, like handcuffs or leg irons. Metaphorically, it can describe any situation where a person feels oppressed or restricted in their freedom.
Literal: "Trong lịch sử, nhiều người đã bị gông cùm vì họ chống lại chế độ."
(In history, many people were shackled because they opposed the regime.)
Metaphorical: "Không gì có thể gông cùm được ý chí của con người ấy."
(Nothing can chain the will of that man.)
This example illustrates that despite external restrictions, a person's spirit or determination cannot be easily suppressed.
While "gông cùm" primarily refers to physical restraints or oppression, it can also symbolize any form of limitation, such as social, emotional, or intellectual constraints.
Overall, "gông cùm" is a powerful word that evokes images of restraint and oppression, both physically and metaphorically.