long thần
Definitions
- Noun:
- Water deity, water spirit: In Vietnamese mythology and folklore, "long thần" refers to a divine being or spirit associated with water, rivers, lakes, or the sea. It is often depicted as a powerful, dragon-like entity.
- (Archaic) Genius of the waters: An older, literary term for a protective or governing spirit of a body of water.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Truyền thuyết kể rằng một vị long thần cai quản khúc sông này. (Legend tells that a water deity governs this section of the river.)
- Người dân làng chài thờ cúng long thần để cầu mong sóng yên biển lặng. (The fishing villagers worship the water spirit to pray for calm seas.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily found in literary, historical, or folkloric contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday modern conversation but appears in stories, poetry, or discussions about traditional beliefs.
Variants and Related Words
- Thuồng luồng (n): Often translated as "river monster" or "water serpent," this is a specific mythical creature sometimes conflated with or considered a type of "long thần."
- Hà Bá (n): A specific deity of rivers in Vietnamese folklore, a type of water god.
- Thủy thần (n): A more general term for "water deity" or "water spirit," very close in meaning to "long thần."
Synonyms
- Water god: A deity associated with water.
- River spirit: A spirit inhabiting or governing a river.
Related Idioms
- While there are no direct idioms using "long thần," related concepts appear in phrases about water deities ensuring safe passage or controlling floods.