Definition

1. Noun:
   • Personal dignity; one's own honor and reputation: Refers to the inherent worth and social standing of an individual, encompassing both self-respect and the esteem in which one is held by others. It implies a moral responsibility to uphold this dignity.
   • (Archaic, often ironic) The title or status one holds: Used, particularly in older contexts, to refer to one's official position or name, sometimes with a sarcastic tone to highlight a discrepancy between one's status and actions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ta luôn biết giữ gìn thân danh của mình. (He always knows how to preserve his personal dignity.)
  • Thân danh một người thầy mà cư xử như vậy sao được? (How can someone with the title of a teacher behave like that?)
  • Cô ấy coi trọng thân danh hơn tiền bạc. (She values her honor more than money.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is considered somewhat formal or literary in modern Vietnamese and may carry a classical nuance. It is often used in contexts discussing moral integrity, social standing, or in critical commentary.

Variants and Related Words

• Danh dự (n): honor, reputation. A more common synonym for the concept of honor.
  • Bảo vệ danh dự gia đình. (To protect the family's honor.)
• Phẩm giá (n): dignity, personal worth. Focuses more on intrinsic moral value.
  • Phẩm giá con người. (Human dignity.)

Synonyms

• Personal honor: The good reputation and ethical standing of an individual.
• Reputation: The common opinion or esteem held about a person.
• Dignity: The state of being worthy of honor and respect.

Related Idioms

• Giữ gìn thân danh: To preserve/maintain one's honor and dignity.
  • Suốt đời, ông ấy đã giữ gìn thân danh trong sạch. (Throughout his life, he maintained an unblemished honor.)
• Làm ô uế thân danh: To tarnish/sully one's own reputation.
  • Hành động đó làm ô uế thân danh của cả dòng họ. (That action tarnished the reputation of the entire lineage.)

noun

1. personal dignity