Definition

1. Noun:

   • Ceremony; Rite; Ritual: A formal event or set of acts performed according to tradition or custom, often marking a significant occasion.
   • Festival; Holiday; Celebration: A day or period of celebration, often a public or religious holiday.
   • Propriety; Politeness; Etiquette: The rules of polite behavior and respect shown in social conduct.
   • Bribe: Money or a gift given corruptly to influence someone in a position of power (this meaning is now less common and often considered archaic or historical).

2. Verb:

   • To worship; To pay respects (at a temple, altar, etc.): To perform an act of religious devotion, such as praying or making offerings.
   • To kowtow; To prostrate oneself: To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground as a deep sign of respect or worship.
   • To bribe; To give a gift (to curry favor): To offer a present or money to someone, especially an official, to gain influence (archaic/contextual usage).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Lễ cưới của họ rất trang trọng. (Their wedding ceremony was very solemn.)
  • Ngày mai là một ngày lễ quốc gia. (Tomorrow is a national holiday.)
  • Anh ấy cư xử thiếu lễ độ. (He behaved without politeness.)

• Verb:

  • Bà tôi thường đi lễ chùa vào mùng một. (My grandmother often goes to worship at the pagoda on the first day of the lunar month.)
  • Người dân lễ tạ trước bàn thờ. (The people kowtowed in gratitude before the altar.)

Advanced Usage

• "lễ vật": Offering; ceremonial gift.

  • Lễ vật dâng cúng phải được chuẩn bị cẩn thận. (The ritual offerings must be prepared carefully.)

• "lễ phép": Polite; well-mannered.

  • Đứa trẻ rất lễ phép với người lớn. (The child is very polite to adults.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lễ nghi (n): Rites and rituals; formalities.
• Lễ hội (n): Festival; a festive celebration combining ceremony and carnival.
• Lễ tân (n): Reception (e.g., at a hotel); or a receptionist.
• Lễ độ (n): Politeness; courteous manner.
• Đại lễ (n): Grand ceremony; major festival.

Synonyms

• Ceremony: nghi thức, buổi lễ.
• Holiday: ngày nghỉ lễ, ngày lễ.
• Politeness: sự lịch sự, phép lịch sự.
• Bribe: hối lộ (modern term).

Related Idioms

• Có lễ có phép: To be well-mannered and respectful.

  • Đứa trẻ ấy có lễ có phép, ai cũng quý. (That child is well-mannered, everyone likes him.)

• Lễ mễ: To be overly ceremonious or formal in a fussy way.

  • Đừng lễ mễ quá, cứ tự nhiên đi. (Don't be so ceremonious, just make yourself at home.)

verb

1. To kowtow
   • lễ ông vải
     to kowtow to the memory of one's ancestors
2. To give (money, present) as a bribe
   • lễ quan
     to give money (present) as a bribe to a mandarin

noun

1. Bribe
   • tốt lễ dễ van
     a good bribe makes a successful entreaty
2. Festival, festive day, holiday
   • lễ tảo mộ
     the grave-visiting holiday (in early spring)