làm phép
Definition
- Verb:
- To perform a ritual or magic spell: Refers to the action of a sorcerer, shaman, or priest using magic or supernatural rites.
- To administer a sacrament: In a religious context, particularly Christian, it means to formally confer a sacred rite like baptism or communion.
- To do something perfunctorily / for form's sake: To carry out an action superficially or as a mere formality, without thoroughness or real intent.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Thầy phù thủy làm phép để chữa bệnh. (The sorcerer performed a spell to cure the illness.)
- Linh mục làm phép rửa tội cho em bé. (The priest administered the sacrament of baptism for the baby.)
- Anh kiểm tra làm phép thôi, không kỹ lưỡng đâu. (He just checked it perfunctorily, not carefully.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a gap between the appearance of an action and its substantive execution. When used in the sense of "for form's sake," it carries a mildly critical or dismissive tone towards the action's lack of genuine effort or effect.
Variants and Related Words
- Làm lễ (v): To perform a ceremony or ritual. This is more general and often used for formal, non-magical ceremonies.
- Gia đình làm lễ cưới cho con. (The family held a wedding ceremony for their child.)
Synonyms
- To conjure: To perform magic.
- To administer: To formally confer (a sacrament).
- To go through the motions: To do something perfunctorily.
Related Idioms
- Làm phép qua loa: To do something in a slapdash, careless manner.
- Công việc này không thể làm phép qua loa được. (This job cannot be done in a slapdash manner.)