danh thần
Definition
- Noun:
- Famous/Illustrious Court Official: A high-ranking and well-known official in the royal court, especially one who served with distinction and is remembered in history. This term is primarily used in historical contexts.
- Renowned Minister: A minister or mandarin who achieved great fame and respect for their service to the monarch and the country.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ông ấy được sử sách ghi nhận là một danh thần triều Lê. (He is recorded in history as a famous court official of the Le dynasty.)
- Các danh thần thường được vua tin tưởng và trọng dụng. (Renowned ministers were often trusted and highly valued by the king.)
- Đền thờ đó được lập để tưởng nhớ công lao của vị danh thần. (That temple was built to commemorate the merits of the illustrious official.)
Advanced Usage
- The term danh thần is almost exclusively used in historical, literary, or formal contexts when discussing Vietnam's feudal past. It is not used for modern government officials.
- It carries a strong connotation of virtue, talent, loyalty, and significant contribution to the state.
Variants and Related Words
- Danh tướng (n): Famous/illustrious general. (A military counterpart to danh thần).
- Trung thần (n): Loyal official. (Emphasizes loyalty, while danh thần emphasizes fame and achievement).
- Khai quốc công thần (n): Founding meritorious official. (A specific type of danh thần who helped establish a dynasty).
Synonyms
- Lương đống (n, literary): Pillar of the state; a key, virtuous official.
- Trọng thần (n): Important/weighty official. (Focuses on importance rather than fame).
Related Idioms
- Danh thần lương tướng: A set phrase meaning "illustrious officials and capable generals," describing the collective of talented people who served a kingdom well.
- Triều đại đó hưng thịnh nhờ có nhiều danh thần lương tướng. (That dynasty prospered thanks to its many illustrious officials and capable generals.)