hương hồn
Definition
- Noun:
- The soul or spirit of a deceased person: This term refers to the spiritual essence of someone who has passed away, particularly when spoken of with reverence, respect, or remembrance. It is used in contexts of ancestor veneration, commemoration, and spiritual belief.
- The revered memory of the dead: It can also signify the cherished and honored memory of a departed person, especially within family or cultural rituals.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Gia đình thắp hương cúng bái hương hồn tổ tiên. (The family lights incense to worship the souls of their ancestors.)
- Xin hương hồn của mẹ hãy phù hộ cho chúng con. (May mother's soul protect and bless us.)
- Chúng tôi tưởng nhớ đến hương hồn của những người đã khuất. (We remember the spirits of the deceased.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in solemn, respectful, and often ritualistic contexts. It is common in prayers, eulogies, and during death anniversaries or festivals like (Ghost Festival).
Variants and Related Words
- Vong hồn (n): soul, spirit (of the dead); can have a slightly less reverent or more general tone than .
- Linh hồn (n): soul, spirit (can refer to the living or the dead in a general philosophical or religious sense).
- Tiên linh (n): ancestors' spirits; a formal term used in ancestor worship.
Synonyms
- Spirit: The non-physical part of a person.
- Soul: The spiritual or immaterial essence of a person.
- Memory (revered): The honored remembrance of someone who has died.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Cầu siêu cho hương hồn: to pray for the repose of a soul.
- Làm lễ cầu siêu cho hương hồn người quá cố. (To hold a ceremony to pray for the repose of the deceased's soul.)
- Hương hồn bất tử: The immortal soul/spirit.
- Tin rằng hương hồn bất tử sẽ sống mãi. (To believe that the immortal soul will live forever.)