Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sacred mission / divine calling: A profound duty or purpose believed to be ordained by heaven or a higher power, often associated with noble professions or roles in life.
   • Innate vocation: A deep-seated, natural purpose or duty that is considered fundamental to one's identity or role in society.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thiên chức của người mẹ là chăm sóc và yêu thương con cái. (The sacred mission of a mother is to care for and love her children.)
  • Anh ấy tin rằng nghề y là một thiên chức, không chỉ là một công việc. (He believes that being a doctor is a divine calling, not just a job.)
  • Xã hội tôn vinh thiên chức của những người thầy. (Society honors the sacred vocation of teachers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal, respectful, and philosophical contexts to elevate the importance of a social or professional role, emphasizing its moral and ethical dimensions beyond mere employment.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiên mệnh (n): Mandate of heaven; a divine decree or fate, often used in historical or sovereign contexts.
• Sứ mệnh (n): Mission; a task one is sent to perform or a strong sense of purpose. (This is a more secular synonym.)

Synonyms

• Sacred duty: A responsibility considered holy or inviolable.
• Vocation: A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or role, often seen as a calling.
• Higher calling: A purpose believed to originate from a divine or moral source.

Related Idioms

• While "thiên chức" itself is not typically part of a common idiom, it is conceptually related to the idea of "thiên lương" (conscience, innate goodness), which is sometimes seen as the foundation for one's sacred calling.