Definition

1. Noun:
   • Deities, genii, spirits: "quỷ thần" refers to supernatural beings, spirits, or deities in general, encompassing both benevolent and malevolent entities in traditional Vietnamese belief systems. It is a compound term combining "quỷ" (ghosts, demons) and "thần" (gods, deities).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người xưa tin rằng quỷ thần có mặt ở khắp nơi. (The ancients believed that deities and spirits were present everywhere.)
  • Câu chuyện đó nghe như có quỷ thần phù hộ vậy. (That story sounds as if it had the blessing of the spirits.)

Advanced Usage

• "có quỷ thần hai vai": An idiom meaning "to have spirits as witnesses on both shoulders," used to swear or affirm the truthfulness of one's words, implying the spirits are watching.
  • Tôi thề có quỷ thần hai vai chứng giám. (I swear with the spirits as my witnesses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thần (n): God, deity, spirit (often benevolent or powerful).
  • thần mặt trời (sun god)
• Quỷ (n): Ghost, demon, devil (often malevolent).
  • con quỷ (a demon)
• Ma quỷ (n): Ghosts and demons; evil spirits.
  • tin vào ma quỷ (to believe in ghosts and demons)

Synonyms

• Thần linh: Divinities, spirits.
• Thần thánh: Gods and saints; deities.

Related Phrases

• Kính quỷ thần: To revere the spirits.
  • Người ta thường kính quỷ thần để cầu bình an. (People often revere the spirits to pray for peace.)

Related Idioms

• Quỷ thần không dung: An idiom meaning "unforgivable even by the spirits" or "heinous to the extreme."
  • Tội ác đó thật là quỷ thần không dung. (That crime is truly heinous and unforgivable.)

1. Deities, genii