Definition

Noun: 1. A place of worship for certain religions, especially Christianity and Judaism: "Giáo đường" refers to a building dedicated to religious worship and ceremonies. It is a general term that can apply to churches (Christianity) or synagogues (Judaism), but in common Vietnamese usage, it often specifically denotes a Christian church. 2. (Less common) A temple or house of God for other faiths: Historically or in broader contexts, it can sometimes refer to a place of worship for other religions, functioning as a general term for "house of God."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chủ nhật nào gia đình tôi cũng đến giáo đường. (Every Sunday, my family goes to church.)
  • Giáo đường này được xây dựng từ thế kỷ 19. (This church was built in the 19th century.)
  • Cộng đồng Do Thái có một giáo đường riêng trong thành phố. (The Jewish community has its own synagogue in the city.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "giáo đường" is neutral and formal. In modern Vietnamese, for a Christian church, "nhà thờ" is more common and specific in everyday speech. "Giáo đường" might be preferred in formal writing, historical contexts, or when referring to certain older or grand church buildings.
• It can be part of compound nouns specifying the religion, though these are less frequent (see Variants).

Variants and Related Words

• Nhà thờ (n): This is the most common and specific word for a Christian church. It directly translates to "worship house."
• Thánh đường (n): Often used for larger, more monumental churches or cathedrals. It can also refer to a mosque in some contexts.
• Đền thờ (n): Typically refers to a temple, often for indigenous Vietnamese beliefs, Confucianism, or Taoism.
• Chùa (n): A Buddhist pagoda or temple.
• Giáo đường Do Thái (n): A synagogue (Jewish place of worship).
• Giáo đường Hồi giáo (n): A mosque (Islamic place of worship) – though "thánh đường" or "đền thờ Hồi giáo" are also used.

Synonyms

• Nhà thờ (church)
• Điện thờ (shrine, place of worship)
• Nơi thờ tự (place of worship - a general, descriptive phrase)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• Vắng như *giáo đường bỏ hoang*: (As deserted as an abandoned church) – An idiom describing a place that is extremely empty and quiet.

noun

1. church; palace of worship