Definition

Noun: - Son of Heaven, Emperor: A term used to respectfully address or refer to the supreme ruler, the emperor, in feudal China and Vietnam. It literally means "son of heaven," implying the emperor's divine mandate to rule.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Vị thiên tử mới đã lên ngôi. (The new Son of Heaven has ascended the throne.)
  • Thiên tử ra lệnh cho quân đội tiến về phía bắc. (The Emperor ordered the army to march north.)
  • Trong lịch sử phong kiến, thiên tử có quyền lực tối cao. (In feudal history, the Son of Heaven held supreme power.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thiên tử giáng sinh": A phrase meaning "the Son of Heaven is born/descends," often used in historical or literary contexts to signify the birth or arrival of a great, destined ruler.
  • Truyền thuyết kể rằng vị vua vĩ đại ấy là thiên tử giáng sinh. (Legend says that great king was the Son of Heaven descended.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoàng đế (noun): Emperor. A more direct and common synonym for "thiên tử."
• Thiên hoàng (noun): Specifically refers to the Emperor of Japan (Tennō), sharing the "heaven" (thiên) character but is a distinct title.
• Thiên mệnh (noun): The Mandate of Heaven; the philosophical concept that legitimized the rule of the "thiên tử."

Synonyms

• Vua (noun): King. A more general term for a monarch.
• Hoàng thượng (noun): His/Her Majesty; a term of direct address for the emperor.
• Quân vương (noun): Sovereign, monarch.

Related Phrases

• Thiên tử truyền ngôi: The Son of Heaven passes the throne.
  • Lễ thiên tử truyền ngôi là một nghi thức long trọng. (The ceremony of the Son of Heaven passing the throne is a solemn ritual.)
• Uy nghiêm của thiên tử: The majesty/dignity of the Emperor.
  • Không ai dám làm trái uy nghiêm của thiên tử. (No one dared to defy the majesty of the Emperor.)

Related Idioms

• Con trời: Literally "child of heaven." A poetic or less formal synonym reinforcing the same concept as "thiên tử."
  • Vị vua ấy được xem là con trời, thay trời hành đạo. (That king was seen as the child of heaven, acting on heaven's behalf to govern.)

noun

1. son of heaven, emperor