hùm thiêng
Definition
- Noun (Literary/Figurative):
- Sacred tiger / Venerable tiger: A poetic and respectful term for a tiger, emphasizing its power, majesty, and almost divine or awe-inspiring status within the natural order.
- Great hero / Illustrious leader: A metaphorical term for an exceptional hero, warrior, or leader of formidable strength, courage, and influence. The term conveys deep respect and acknowledges their paramount status, often with a nuance that even such a great figure can be humbled by circumstance.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Literal/Figurative):
- Trong khu rừng già, hùm thiêng là chúa tể. (In the ancient forest, the sacred tiger is the lord.)
- Vị tướng ấy được dân chúng tôn xưng như một hùm thiêng. (That general is revered by the people as a great hero.)
- "Hùm thiêng khi đã sa cơ cũng hèn." (Even a great hero, when fallen into misfortune, can be brought low.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in literary, historical, or formal contexts. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- The phrase (the great hero fallen into misfortune) is a set literary expression highlighting the vulnerability of even the most powerful beings when fate turns against them.
Variants and Related Words
- Hùm (n): Tiger (a more general, still somewhat literary term for tiger).
- Hổ (n): Tiger (the standard, neutral word for tiger).
- Chúa sơn lâm (n): Lord of the forest (a common epithet for the tiger).
Synonyms
- Hero: A person admired for courage or noble qualities.
- Legend: A person of fame or notoriety.
- Titan: A person of great size, strength, or power.
- Luminary: A person who inspires or influences others.
Related Idioms
- Hùm thiêng sa cơ: An idiom meaning "a great hero in a time of misfortune" or "a mighty person brought low." It encapsulates the core metaphorical meaning of the word.
- Câu chuyện kể về một hùm thiêng sa cơ. (The story tells of a great hero brought low.)