Definition

1. Verb:
   • To offer condolences with gifts: The act of visiting a bereaved family to express sympathy, traditionally bringing ritual offerings such as money, incense, flowers, or funeral wreaths.
   • To pay a formal condolence visit: To visit a funeral or a bereaved household as a formal gesture of mourning and respect for the deceased.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Gia đình tôi sẽ đi phúng viếng ông cụ vào chiều nay. (My family will go to offer condolences to the old gentleman this afternoon.)
  • Họ phúng viếng bằng một vòng hoa lớn và một phong bì. (They offered condolences with a large wreath and an envelope [of money].)
  • Theo phong tục, chúng ta nên phúng viếng trong vòng ba ngày. (According to custom, we should pay a condolence visit within three days.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is marked as archaic (từ cũ) in modern Vietnamese but is still understood and may be used in formal, literary, or traditional contexts related to funeral rites. The more common contemporary term is "viếng" or "đi viếng."
• The action of "phúng viếng" inherently involves bringing ceremonial gifts. The focus is on the formal, ritualistic aspect of the condolence visit.

Variants and Related Words

• Phúng (verb, archaic): A shorter, synonymous form meaning to offer condolences with gifts. Example: (to offer one hundred thousand [in a funeral envelope]).
• Viếng (verb): To visit a funeral, to pay respects to the deceased. This is the more commonly used modern term. Example: (to attend a funeral visitation).
• Điếu (noun/verb): Refers specifically to the ritual offerings (e.g., money, goods) or the act of presenting them at a funeral. Often used in compounds like (eulogy), (funeral oration).
• Phúng điếu (verb/noun): A compound term combining "phúng" and "điếu," meaning the act of presenting condolence offerings or the offerings themselves. It is a formal term used in obituaries and announcements.

Synonyms

• Viếng tang: To visit a funeral.
• Đi viếng: To go to pay a condolence visit.
• Chia buồn: To share sorrow, to offer condolences (a more general term that can be used outside of the specific ritual visit context).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Phúng viếng chu đáo: To offer thorough/complete condolences (implying proper observance of ritual and gift-giving).
• Lễ phúng viếng: The condolence ceremony; the ritual of offering condolences.
  • Lễ phúng viếng được tổ chức trang trọng tại nhà tang lễ. (The condolence ceremony was solemnly held at the funeral home.)

1. (từ cũ) như phúng