thiêu sinh
Definition
- Noun:
- A sacrificial burning: The primary meaning refers to the act of burning something, often a living being or an offering, as a form of sacrifice or ritual.
- Holocaust: In a broader and more severe context, it can denote a large-scale destruction or slaughter, particularly by fire, analogous to the term "holocaust."
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Truyền thuyết kể về một nghi lễ thiêu sinh cổ xưa. (The legend tells of an ancient sacrificial burning ritual.)
- Chiến tranh đã gây ra một cuộc thiêu sinh khủng khiếp. (The war caused a terrible holocaust.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in historical, anthropological, or literary contexts to describe extreme events of destruction or ancient ritual practices. It carries a heavy, solemn connotation.
Variants and Related Words
Thiêu (v): to burn, to cremate.
- Người ta thiêu xác chết. (They cremate the dead.)
Tế sinh (n/v): animal sacrifice (often without the specific implication of burning).
- Lễ tế sinh được thực hiện để cầu an. (An animal sacrifice is performed to pray for peace.)
Synonyms
- Sacrificial burning: the act of burning as a sacrifice.
- Holocaust: wholesale destruction, especially by fire.
- Immolation: killing or offering as a sacrifice, especially by fire.
Related Idioms
- While "thiêu sinh" itself is not commonly part of idioms, the concept is related to phrases describing utter destruction.
- Thiêu rụi tất cả: to burn everything to the ground.
- Kẻ thù thiêu rụi tất cả làng mạc. (The enemy burned all the villages to the ground.)