Definition

1. Verb:
   • To seek fame, to pursue reputation: "cầu danh" describes the act of actively striving to gain fame, honor, or a prestigious reputation, often with a connotation of doing so for personal ambition or vanity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta không quan tâm đến tiền bạc, chỉ ham cầu danh mà thôi. (He is not interested in money; he is only obsessed with seeking fame.)
  • Cổ nhân thường khuyên răn con cháu đừng nên cầu danh trục lợi. (The ancients often advised their descendants not to pursue fame and chase after profit.)
  • Hành động đó của hắn rõ ràng chỉ là để cầu danh. (That action of his was clearly just to seek honor.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lòng cầu danh": The desire for fame.

  • Lòng cầu danh đã khiến anh ấy mất phương hướng. (The desire for fame has caused him to lose his direction.)

• "Kẻ cầu danh": A fame-seeker.

  • Trong lịch sử có không ít những kẻ cầu danh sẵn sàng làm mọi thứ. (In history, there have been many fame-seekers willing to do anything.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cầu lợi (verb): To seek profit, to chase after gain.

  • Cầu danh cầu lợi is a common paired phrase meaning "to pursue fame and fortune."

• Danh lợi (noun): Fame and profit, reputation and material gain.

  • Vòng xoáy danh lợi (the vortex of fame and fortune).

Synonyms

• Truy cầu danh vọng: To pursue glory and prestige.
• Ham muốn nổi tiếng: To desire to be famous.
• Mưu cầu danh tiếng: To scheme for reputation.

Notes on Meaning

• Connotation: "Cầu danh" often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation in Vietnamese, implying that the pursuit is excessive, vain, or done for the wrong reasons, rather than a natural result of good deeds. It contrasts with earning respect or honor through genuine merit without actively seeking it.

1. Seek after honours