mãnh
Definition
- Noun:
- A young man who died unmarried: This term specifically refers to a male who passed away before marrying and having children. It carries an archaic and formal tone, often found in traditional or literary contexts.
- A bachelor spirit (in folk belief): In some Vietnamese folk beliefs, the spirit of such an unmarried deceased man is considered restless or potent.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Theo phong tục cũ, mãnh thường được cúng riêng. (According to old customs, a young man who died unmarried is often worshipped separately.)
- Trong truyện dân gian, oan hồn của một mãnh có thể quấy nhiễu làng. (In folk tales, the vengeful spirit of a bachelor who died young can haunt a village.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in historical, anthropological, or superstitious contexts. It is not used in modern, everyday conversation to refer to a living single man.
Variants and Related Words
- Mãnh hổ (n): This is a completely different compound word meaning "ferocious tiger." It does not relate to the meaning of the isolated word mãnh.
- Cô hồn (n): "Wandering ghost," a more general term for restless spirits, which may include the spirit of a mãnh.
Synonyms
- Unmarried deceased youth: A direct descriptive synonym.
- Bachelor spirit: Specifically in the context of folk belief.
Related Cultural Concepts
- Thờ cúng: The practice of ancestor worship. A mãnh, having no direct descendants, might be worshipped differently or be considered a "wandering" spirit requiring communal care.
- Cô đơn: Meaning "lonely." The state of a mãnh is often culturally perceived as one of loneliness in the afterlife.