mệnh
Definition
- Noun:
- Fate, destiny: The predetermined course of events in a person's life, often perceived as beyond their control.
- Life, existence: One's life, especially in terms of its duration or vitality.
- (Archaic) Command, order: An authoritative directive, often from a superior or sovereign.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Fate):
- Số phận anh ấy thật bạc mệnh. (His fate is truly unfortunate.)
- Cô ấy tin vào mệnh của mình. (She believes in her destiny.)
- Noun (Life):
- Họ coi thường mệnh người. (They disregard human life.)
- Noun (Command - Archaic):
- Quan vâng mệnh vua. (The official obeyed the king's command.)
Advanced Usage
- "bạc mệnh": ill-fated, having an unfortunate destiny (often used in classical literature).
- Nhân vật ấy là một hình tượng bạc mệnh. (That character is an ill-fated archetype.)
- "mệnh lệnh": (compound word) command, order.
- Người lính tuân theo mệnh lệnh. (The soldier followed the command.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mạng (n): A common synonym, especially for "life" or "fate" in colloquial speech.
- Anh ấy thoát chết trong gang tấc, thật là mạng lớn. (He escaped death by a hair's breadth; he really has a great destiny/life.)
- Số mệnh (n): fate, destiny (a compound emphasizing predestination).
- Số mệnh đã được an bài. (Fate has been arranged.)
Synonyms
- Fate: destiny, lot.
- Life: existence.
- Command: order, decree (archaic).
Related Idioms and Classical References
- "Hồng nhan bạc mệnh": A classical idiom meaning "a beautiful face but a tragic fate," describing someone whose beauty is coupled with misfortune.
- Câu chuyện cổ điển thường kể về những mỹ nhân hồng nhan bạc mệnh. (Classical stories often tell of beauties with a tragic fate.)
- "Mệnh trời": the will of heaven, destiny as decreed by heaven.
- Ông ấy cho rằng mọi chuyện đều do mệnh trời. (He believes everything is due to the will of heaven.)