bói rùa
Definition
- Noun:
- Turtle shell divination: A traditional Vietnamese divination practice involving the interpretation of cracks or markings on a heated turtle shell to seek answers or predict the future.
- The act of turtle shell divination: The specific ritual or process of performing this type of divination.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Người xưa thường dùng bói rùa để quyết định việc quan trọng. (The ancients often used turtle shell divination to make important decisions.)
- Phương pháp bói rùa đã được ghi chép trong sử sách. (The method of turtle shell divination has been recorded in historical texts.)
Advanced Usage
- "Làm lễ bói rùa": to perform a turtle shell divination ceremony.
- Nhà vua cho làm lễ bói rùa trước khi xuất quân. (The king ordered a turtle shell divination ceremony to be performed before sending out the troops.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bói toán (n): Divination, fortune-telling (a general term).
- Bốc phệ (n): A classical divination method using yarrow stalks or coins, often associated with the I Ching.
Synonyms
- Bói mai rùa: Literally "divination by turtle plastron," a more specific synonym.
- Xem bói: To have one's fortune told (general).
Related Phrases
- Khấn vái trước khi bói rùa: To pray and make offerings before performing turtle shell divination.
- Thầy pháp khấn vái trước khi bói rùa. (The ritual master prayed before performing turtle shell divination.)
Related Idioms
- Chắc như *bói rùa*: As certain as turtle shell divination (used ironically to suggest something is very uncertain or speculative).
- Lời hứa của hắn chắc như bói rùa. (His promise is as reliable as turtle shell divination [i.e., not reliable at all].)