Definition

Noun: A religious sect; a subgroup within a larger religion that has its own distinct set of beliefs, practices, or organizational structure.

Usage

The word "giáo phái" is used to refer to a distinct, often smaller, organized group that has separated from a major religion due to differences in doctrine, practice, or leadership. It is a neutral term but can sometimes carry connotations of being separate or distinct from mainstream religious bodies.

Examples

• (Many different Christian sects exist in the world.)
• (This sect has special rituals unlike other groups.)
• (The emergence of a new religious sect has caused much controversy.)

Advanced Usage

• "giáo phái ly khai": a breakaway sect; a sect that has split from a main religious body.
  • Giáo phái ly khai này đã thành lập nhà thờ riêng của họ. (This breakaway sect has established its own church.)
• "các giáo phái độc lập": independent sects.
  • Khu vực này là nơi sinh sống của nhiều giáo phái độc lập. (This area is home to many independent sects.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tôn giáo (noun): religion. (The broader category to which a "giáo phái" belongs.)
• Môn phái (noun): school, branch (often used for martial arts or philosophical schools, but can sometimes be used similarly in a religious context).
• Giáo hội (noun): church, religious organization (often implies a larger, more established body than a "giáo phái").

Synonyms

• Phái (noun): faction, group. (A more general term for a subgroup, which can be used in non-religious contexts.)
• Chi phái (noun): branch, offshoot. (Emphasizes the idea of branching off from a main group.)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "chia rẽ thành nhiều giáo phái": to split/divide into many sects.
  • Sau cuộc tranh cãi, tôn giáo đó đã chia rẽ thành nhiều giáo phái. (After the dispute, that religion split into many sects.)

noun

1. religious sect