Definition

1. Noun:
   • A famous pagoda or Buddhist temple: A pagoda or temple that is widely known and recognized for its historical, cultural, or architectural significance.
   • A famous scenic or beautiful place: While the core meaning relates to a pagoda, the word is most commonly used in the compound phrase "danh lam thắng cảnh" to denote any renowned scenic spot or landscape of great beauty.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chùa Một Cột ở Hà Nội là một danh lam nổi tiếng. (The One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi is a famous pagoda.)
  • Vịnh Hạ Long không chỉ là thắng cảnh mà còn được coi là một danh lam. (Ha Long Bay is not only a scenic spot but is also considered a famous beautiful place.)
  • Du khách thường viếng thăm các danh lam cổ kính. (Tourists often visit ancient, famous pagodas.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost always paired with "thắng cảnh" (beautiful scenery) to form the fixed phrase "danh lam thắng cảnh", meaning "famous scenic spots and beautiful landscapes" or simply "renowned beauty spots."
  • Việt Nam có nhiều danh lam thắng cảnh thu hút du khách. (Vietnam has many famous beauty spots that attract tourists.)

Variants and Related Words

• Danh lam thắng cảnh (noun phrase): famous landscapes and scenic spots; renowned beauty spots.
• Thắng cảnh (noun): a scenic spot; a place of beautiful scenery.
• Danh thắng (noun): a synonym for a famous scenic spot.

Synonyms

• Famous pagoda
• Renowned temple
• Celebrated scenic spot (particularly in the compound phrase)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and traditional meaning refers specifically to a famous pagoda.
• In modern usage, the singular word "danh lam" is rarely used alone. Its meaning has broadened, largely due to the fixed phrase "danh lam thắng cảnh", and it can sometimes be understood contextually as a poetic term for any famously beautiful place.

noun

1. famous pagoda
   • danh lam thắng cảnh
     famous landscape