Definition

1. Noun:
   • Parish priest: A Catholic priest who is in charge of a parish, responsible for the spiritual care and administration of a local church community. This term is commonly used in Vietnamese Catholic contexts.
   • Father (as a title): Used as a respectful title or form of address for a Catholic priest, similar to "Father" in English.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thầy cả đang giảng đạo trong nhà thờ. (The parish priest is preaching in the church.)
  • Cả làng rất kính trọng vị thầy cả mới. (The whole village greatly respects the new parish priest.)
  • Chúng con xin nghe lời thầy cả. (We will listen to the Father's words.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "thầy cả" is specific to Vietnamese Catholic terminology and carries a formal, respectful tone. It is less common in general, secular Vietnamese than the more universal term "linh mục" (priest).

Variants and Related Words

• Linh mục (n): Priest. A more general and common term for a Catholic priest.

  • Vị linh mục đó rất nhân từ. (That priest is very kind.)

• Cha xứ (n): Parish priest. A synonym often used interchangeably with "thầy cả."

  • Cha xứ mới đã đến nhận nhiệm sở. (The new parish priest has arrived at his post.)

Synonyms

• Parish priest: A priest in charge of a parish.
• Curate: A cleric, especially one who has charge of a parish. (Note: "Curé" is the direct French equivalent often referenced.)
• Father: A title for a priest.

Related Idioms

• : To respect the parish priest as one's own father. This idiom emphasizes the deep reverence and familial-like respect accorded to a priest in traditional Vietnamese Catholic culture.
  • Trong giáo xứ, mọi người đều kính thầy cả như cha. (In the parish, everyone respects the parish priest as their own father.)