mệnh trời

mệnh trời

Số phận của anh ấy dường như đã được mệnh trời an bài.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Heaven's decree / Mandate of Heaven: The belief that one's fate, destiny, or life's course is predetermined and ordained by heaven or a celestial force. This concept is rooted in traditional East Asian philosophy and folk belief.
    • Preordained fate: A destiny that is fixed and unchangeable, believed to be written or decided by a higher power.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Ông ấy tin rằng mọi thành công của mình đều là do mệnh trời. (He believes all his success is due to Heaven's decree.)
    • Số phận khó khăn ấy, bà coi như là mệnh trời. (She regards that difficult fate as preordained.)
    • Theo mệnh trời, hai người đã gặp nhau. (By the mandate of heaven, the two met.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term is often used in literary, philosophical, or reflective contexts to express acceptance of life's major events, both good and bad, as being beyond human control.
  • It can imply a sense of resignation or, conversely, a legitimization of one's position or fortune (e.g., a ruler's right to govern).
Variants and Related Words

  • Thiên mệnh (n): A more formal or classical term for "Mandate of Heaven," often used in historical and political contexts.

    • Vị vua cai trị với tư cách người được hưởng thiên mệnh. (The king ruled as one who held the Mandate of Heaven.)

  • Số phận (n): Fate, destiny. A more general and commonly used term that does not inherently specify a celestial source.

    • Số phận của cô ấy thật bi thảm. (Her fate was tragic.)
Synonyms
  • Divine will: The will of a god or heaven.
  • Predestination: The doctrine that all events have been willed by a higher power.
  • Providence: The protective care of a divine power, often associated with destiny.
Related Idioms and Concepts

  • Mệnh trời khó tránh: Heaven's decree is hard to avoid. (Similar to "What is destined cannot be avoided.")

    • Dù cố gắng cách mấy, mệnh trời khó tránh. (No matter how hard one tries, heaven's decree is hard to avoid.)

  • An bài của tạo hóa: The arrangement of the creator. A similar concept describing a preordained order.

  • Số trời đã định: Fate has been decided by heaven.