Definition

1. Verb Phrase:
   • To wish (an elderly person) longevity: The act of expressing good wishes, typically through a ceremony or ritual, for an elderly person to have a long, healthy life. This is a cultural practice, especially significant in the Khmer community of Southern Vietnam, embodying respect and gratitude towards parents and teachers in their old age.

Usage Examples

• Verb Phrase:
  • Con cháu tổ chức lễ để chúc thọ ông bà. (The grandchildren organized a ceremony to wish their grandparents longevity.)
  • Phong tục chúc thọ thể hiện lòng biết ơn sâu sắc. (The custom of wishing longevity shows profound gratitude.)
  • Họ đến thăm và chúc thọ người thầy già của mình. (They visited to wish longevity to their old teacher.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is deeply tied to specific cultural and familial ceremonies. It is not used for casual birthday wishes but denotes a formal, respectful act for revered elders.
• It often implies an associated ceremony ("lễ chúc thọ"), which may involve rituals, offerings, and the gathering of family and disciples.

Variants and Related Words

• Mừng thọ (v): This is a closely related and more commonly used Vietnamese term for celebrating an elderly person's longevity, often on a significant birthday (e.g., 70th, 80th). While "chúc thọ" focuses on the , "mừng thọ" emphasizes the of that longevity.
  • Cả gia đình mừng thọ cụ 90 tuổi. (The whole family celebrated the elder's 90th birthday.)

Synonyms

• To wish someone a long life: A direct descriptive synonym.
• To pay respects for longevity: Highlights the respectful aspect of the act.

Related Idioms and Cultural Concepts

• Lễ chúc thọ / Lễ mừng thọ: The longevity wishing ceremony or celebration.
  • Lễ chúc thọ của người Khmer rất trang trọng. (The longevity wishing ceremony of the Khmer people is very solemn.)
• Kính lão đắc thọ: A proverb meaning "Respecting the elderly brings longevity," closely related to the spirit of "chúc thọ."

1. To wish (an elderly person) longevity
   • Chúc thọ: Phong tục của đồng bào Khmer Nam bộ. Khi cha mẹ, thầy học đến tuổi già, học trò, con cháu sẽ tổ chức lễ chúc thọ cha mẹ, thầy học để mong cho họ mạnh khỏe, sống lâu và mang ý nghĩa trả ơn
     Chúc thọ (Longevity wishing ceremony): A custom from the Khmer (Khơ-Me) community in South-Vietnam. When their parents or teachers reach the old age, children or learners show their profound gratitude to them by celebrating a ceremony to wish them good health and long life