Definition

1. Noun:
   • Family ancestors, family forbears: Refers to the collective lineage of deceased predecessors within a specific family or clan, often venerated in traditional Vietnamese spiritual practices.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Gia đình tôi thường làm lễ cúng gia tiên vào ngày rằm. (My family often performs a ceremony to worship our family ancestors on the full moon day.)
  • Việc thờ cúng gia tiên thể hiện lòng biết ơn và sự tôn kính. (The worship of family ancestors expresses gratitude and reverence.)

Advanced Usage

• "bàn thờ gia tiên": family ancestral altar.

  • Bàn thờ gia tiên được đặt ở nơi trang trọng nhất trong nhà. (The family ancestral altar is placed in the most solemn spot in the house.)

• "phụng thờ gia tiên": to venerate/pay homage to family ancestors.

  • Con cháu có trách nhiệm phụng thờ gia tiên. (Descendants have the duty to venerate their family ancestors.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tổ tiên (noun): ancestors, forefathers (a broader term, can refer to national or ethnic ancestors as well as family).

  • Tổ tiên người Việt có truyền thống yêu nước. (Vietnamese ancestors have a tradition of patriotism.)

• Cụ kỵ (noun): great-grandparents and earlier generations; forebears.

  • Câu chuyện về các cụ kỵ được lưu truyền trong gia đình. (Stories about our forebears are passed down in the family.)

Synonyms

• Forefathers: (male) ancestors.
• Ancestral spirits: emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the deceased ancestors.

Related Phrases

• Thờ cúng tổ tiên: ancestor worship (the general practice).
  • Thờ cúng tổ tiên là một nét văn hóa đặc trưng. (Ancestor worship is a distinctive cultural feature.)

Related Idioms

• "Uống nước nhớ nguồn": Literally "When drinking water, remember its source." Means to be grateful to one's origins and ancestors.
  • Truyền thống "uống nước nhớ nguồn" thể hiện qua việc thờ cúng gia tiên. (The tradition of "remembering its source when drinking water" is manifested through the worship of family ancestors.)

1. Family ancestors, family forbears
   • Làm lễ cúng gia tiên
     To worship family ancestors