Definition

1. Noun:
   • Village midwife: A woman, typically in a rural or traditional setting, who assists other women during childbirth.
   • Goddess of childbirth: In Vietnamese folk belief, one of the goddesses (often referred to collectively as "the bà mụ") who is believed to shape the fetus in the womb, oversee the birth, and protect the newborn baby.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ngày xưa, mẹ tôi sinh tôi nhờ sự giúp đỡ của một bà mụ trong làng. (In the past, my mother gave birth to me with the help of a village midwife.)
  • Theo truyền thuyết, các bà mụ nặn ra hình hài đứa trẻ trước khi nó chào đời. (According to legend, the goddesses of childbirth mold the baby's form before it is born.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bà mụ" in cultural context: The term is deeply rooted in Vietnamese folk religion and traditional medicine. Families may make offerings to the "bà mụ" to pray for a safe delivery and a healthy child.
  • Gia đình làm lễ cúng bà mụ để cầu mong mẹ tròn con vuông. (The family holds a ceremony to make offerings to the goddesses of childbirth, praying for a safe delivery.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ông Mụ: A less common, related male deity sometimes mentioned alongside the "bà mụ" in some folk beliefs.
• Mụ: Can be used as a shorter, more colloquial form, often in the plural "các mụ" when referring to the goddesses.
• Bà đỡ: A more general and modern term for a midwife, without the spiritual connotation.

Synonyms

• Nữ hộ sinh: (Modern term) Midwife.
• Bà đỡ đẻ: (Descriptive term) Birth attendant.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Mẹ tròn con vuông": A common idiom meaning a successful and safe childbirth, often used in prayers and well-wishes related to the "bà mụ".
  • Cầu mong bà mụ phù hộ để mẹ tròn con vuông. (We pray the goddesses of childbirth bless [her] for a safe delivery.)

noun

1. Village midwife
2. Goddess believed to give shape to and protect babies