Definition

1. Verb:
   • To protect and support; to bless: The primary meaning of "phù hộ" refers to the benevolent, supernatural assistance or protective blessing provided by a deity, spirit, or ancestor towards a person or group. It implies watching over and aiding from a spiritual realm.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cầu mong ông bà phù hộ cho con cháu. (I pray that our ancestors bless and protect their descendants.)
  • Người dân tin rằng vị thần sẽ phù hộ cho ngôi làng. (The people believe the deity will protect and support the village.)
  • Đi lễ để cầu thần phù hộ. (To go to the temple to pray for the deity's support.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in spiritual, religious, or superstitious contexts. It is not used for everyday, secular help between people.
• It often carries a sense of granting safety, good fortune, and success through divine intervention.

Variants and Related Words

• Độ trì (v): A Buddhist term meaning to protect and deliver from suffering; to bless. It is very similar to "phù hộ" but with a stronger doctrinal connotation.
  • Cầu Phật độ trì. (Pray for the Buddha's blessing and protection.)
• Che chở (v): To shelter, to protect. This is a general term for physical or metaphorical protection without the mandatory spiritual connotation of "phù hộ."
  • Cha mẹ luôn che chở cho con cái. (Parents always protect their children.)

Synonyms

• To bless: To confer divine favor or protection.
• To watch over: To guard or protect lovingly.
• To protect (supernaturally): To defend from harm through spiritual means.

Related Concepts

• Cầu phù hộ: To pray for blessing/support. This is a common phrase indicating the action of asking for divine "phù hộ."
  • Họ đến đền thờ để cầu phù hộ. (They went to the temple to pray for blessing.)
• The concept is central to many Vietnamese folk beliefs and practices, where ancestors and local deities are regularly asked for "phù hộ" in health, business, and life endeavors.

1. support
   • Đi lễ để cầu thần phù hộ
     To make offerings to a deity to win his support