Definition

1. Verb:

   • To go on a pilgrimage: To make a journey, often a long one, to a sacred or religious place as an act of devotion, penance, or spiritual significance.

2. Noun (less common):

   • A pilgrim: Refers to a person who undertakes a pilgrimage. This usage is often seen in compound forms or specific contexts.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Hàng năm, họ hành hương đến một ngôi chùa cổ. (Every year, they go on a pilgrimage to an ancient pagoda.)
  • Nhiều tín đồ mong ước được một lần hành hương đến thánh địa. (Many devotees wish to go on a pilgrimage to the holy land once.)

• Noun:

  • Đoàn hành hương đã bắt đầu chuyến đi từ sáng sớm. (The group of pilgrims began their journey early in the morning.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb "hành hương" inherently carries a sense of purposeful, spiritual travel. It is not used for casual tourism.
• It can be used metaphorically in literature or speech to describe a profound journey of self-discovery or a quest for meaning, though this is less common.

Variants and Related Words

• Khách hành hương (n): Pilgrim. Literally "pilgrimage guest."
  • Các khách hành hương đang cầu nguyện. (The pilgrims are praying.)
• Cuộc hành hương (n): Pilgrimage (referring to the event or journey itself).
  • Cuộc hành hương này rất quan trọng với họ. (This pilgrimage is very important to them.)

Synonyms

• To pilgrimage: (Less common as a verb in English) To make a pilgrimage.
• To make a pilgrimage: The most direct synonym for the verb form.

Related Idioms

• While "hành hương" itself is not typically part of idioms, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "Tâm hồn hành hương": A pilgrim soul (a poetic expression for a soul seeking spiritual truth).

1. Go on a pilgrimage