cửu già
Definition
- Noun:
- A pagoda; a Buddhist temple: A term of Sino-Vietnamese origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "saṅghārāma" (meaning a monastery or temple garden), used to refer to a Buddhist place of worship.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cảnh sắc cửu già thật thanh tịnh. (The scenery of the pagoda is very peaceful.)
- Họ thường đến cửu già để cầu nguyện. (They often go to the Buddhist temple to pray.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "cửu già" is an archaic and literary word, primarily found in classical Vietnamese poetry, religious texts, or historical writings. In modern, everyday Vietnamese, words like "chùa", "thiền viện", or "tu viện" are more commonly used.
Variants and Related Words
- Chùa (n): pagoda, temple. The common, modern word for a Buddhist place of worship.
- Thiền viện (n): Zen monastery; a temple for Zen meditation and practice.
- Tu viện (n): monastery; a residence for monks or nuns.
- Già lam (n): A direct transliteration of the Sanskrit "saṅghārāma," also meaning a Buddhist monastery.
Synonyms
- Pagoda: A Buddhist temple, often a tiered tower.
- Buddhist temple: A place dedicated to Buddhist practice and worship.
- Monastery: A building or complex where monks or nuns live and worship.
Notes on Etymology
- The word "cửu già" is a Sino-Vietnamese compound. "Cửu" can mean "long-lasting" or "old," and "già" is a phonetic adaptation of part of the Sanskrit word "saṅghārāma." Thus, the term carries a connotation of an ancient, venerable temple.