Definition

1. 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.)