công nghĩa
Definition
- Noun:
- Public cause, public good: "Công nghĩa" refers to a matter or undertaking that benefits the community, society, or the public at large, often driven by a sense of justice, righteousness, or moral duty for the collective welfare.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy đã dành cả đời mình để phụng sự công nghĩa. (He devoted his whole life to serving the public good.)
- Hành động của anh ta xuất phát từ lòng vì công nghĩa, không phải vì tư lợi. (His action stemmed from a heart for the public cause, not for personal gain.)
Advanced Usage
- "Vì công nghĩa": for the sake of the public good / for a righteous public cause.
- Họ chiến đấu vì công nghĩa. (They fight for the public good.)
- "Phụng sự công nghĩa": to serve/devote oneself to the public cause.
- Mục đích của tổ chức này là phụng sự công nghĩa. (The purpose of this organization is to serve the public cause.)
Variants and Related Words
- Công ích (n): Public utility, public benefit. (Focuses more on practical benefits and utilities for the community).
- Nghĩa cử (n): Charitable/good deed, act of kindness. (Refers to a specific benevolent action, often on a personal or smaller scale).
- Chính nghĩa (n): Righteous cause, just cause. (Often used in political or ideological contexts to denote a morally correct stance).
Synonyms
- Việc nghĩa (n): Righteous deed, cause for justice.
- Sự nghiệp chung (n): Common cause, collective undertaking.
Notes on Meaning
- Historical/Literary Connotation: "Công nghĩa" is a classical Sino-Vietnamese compound word (公義) and carries a formal, somewhat literary tone. It is deeply rooted in Confucian ideology, emphasizing the moral duty of individuals (especially scholars and leaders) to contribute to societal harmony and justice.
- Modern Usage: In contemporary Vietnamese, it is less commonly used in everyday speech than simpler terms like "lợi ích chung" (common interest). It is more likely found in formal writing, historical contexts, or discussions about ethics and social responsibility.