Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small temple or shrine: A "miếu" is a small-scale place of worship, typically dedicated to a specific deity, spirit, or historical figure. It is generally smaller and less elaborate than a "đền" (larger temple) or "chùa" (pagoda, often Buddhist).
   • A shrine: It can refer to a small, often simple, structure housing a sacred object or used for veneration.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ngôi miếu nhỏ nằm yên tĩnh dưới gốc cây đa. (The small shrine lies quietly under the banyan tree.)
  • Dân làng góp tiền xây một cái miếu thờ Thành Hoàng. (The villagers contributed money to build a temple dedicated to the Tutelary God.)
  • Họ đến miếu để cầu bình an. (They go to the shrine to pray for peace.)

Advanced Usage

• "miếu mạo": A literary or formal term referring to temples and shrines in general.
  • Miếu mạo trong vùng này đều có kiến trúc cổ. (The temples and shrines in this region all have ancient architecture.)
• "miếu thờ": A shrine/temple for worshiping a specific entity.
  • Miếu thờ cá Ông (cá voi) phổ biến ở các làng chài miền Trung. (Shrines for worshiping the Whale God are common in fishing villages in Central Vietnam.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đền (n): A temple; usually larger and more formal than a "miếu," often dedicated to national heroes or major deities.
• Chùa (n): A pagoda; a Buddhist place of worship.
• Điện (n): A palace or hall; can refer to a temple for worshiping saints or royal figures.
• Phủ (n): A palace or mansion; can refer to a large temple complex for a mother goddess in Đạo Mẫu (Mother Goddess Religion).
• Am (n): A small hermitage or a very small temple, often in a secluded place.

Synonyms

• Shrine: Nơi thờ cúng linh thiêng (a sacred place of worship).
• Small temple: Đền thờ nhỏ.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Miếu có thần, làng có kiểng": (Literally: The shrine has its deity, the village has its scenery.) An idiom implying every place has its own unique character, rules, or notable figures.
• "Ăn cơm nhà, thờ vua miếu": (Literally: Eat at home, worship the king at the temple.) An old saying about fulfilling one's duties; one takes care of family at home and fulfills civic/religious duties at public places like the temple.

noun

1. temple; shrine