quy tiên
Definition
- Verb (Euphemism):
- To pass away; to die: A respectful and literary term used to refer to the death of an elderly person, implying a peaceful departure to join the immortals or the afterlife. It carries a connotation of returning to a celestial realm.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ông nội tôi đã quy tiên cách đây ba năm. (My grandfather passed away three years ago.)
- Nghe tin cụ già trong làng đã quy tiên. (We heard the news that the village elder has departed to join the immortals.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in formal, respectful, or literary contexts, particularly in obituaries, formal announcements, or when speaking reverently of the deceased. It is not used for sudden, tragic, or young deaths.
Variants and Related Words
- Quy thiên (v): A less common variant with the same meaning, also meaning "to return to heaven."
- Từ trần (v): to pass away; a common formal synonym.
- Qua đời (v): to pass away; a standard, neutral term.
Synonyms
- Pass away: To die (a gentle synonym).
- Depart this life: A euphemistic phrase for dying.
- Join the ancestors: A cultural synonym implying joining deceased forebears.
Related Idioms
- Quy tiên chầu Phật: Literally "to return to the immortals and attend to Buddha." This extended phrase reinforces the peaceful, spiritual connotation of the departure, often used for deeply respected, pious individuals.
- Sau một đời tu hành, sư cụ đã quy tiên chầu Phật. (After a life of religious practice, the venerable monk has departed to attend to Buddha.)