tiên đan
Definition
- Noun:
- Elixir of immortality: A mythical pill or potion, traditionally believed to be concocted by immortals or Taoist adepts, that grants eternal life or longevity.
- Miracle cure / Sovereign remedy: A figurative term for an exceptionally effective medicine or a perfect solution to a difficult problem.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Theo truyền thuyết, ai uống được tiên đan sẽ sống mãi không già. (According to legend, whoever drinks the elixir of immortality will live forever without aging.)
- Ông ấy coi thuốc này như tiên đan chữa bách bệnh. (He considers this medicine a miracle cure for all ailments.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is deeply rooted in East Asian, particularly Taoist, mythology and alchemy. It represents the ultimate goal of transcending human mortality.
- In modern, non-mythological contexts, it is used hyperbolically to describe a hypothetical "wonder drug" or a simple, perfect solution to a complex issue.
Variants and Related Words
- Thuốc tiên (n): Literally "fairy/immortal's medicine." A more common, colloquial term with a similar meaning, often used for a very effective medicine.
Synonyms
- Elixir of life
- Panacea (for the "miracle cure" meaning)
- Sovereign remedy
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Tìm thuốc trường sinh / tiên đan: To seek the elixir of life. This phrase describes a futile or endless quest for an impossible perfect solution or eternal life.
- Việc đó khó lắm, đừng mất công đi tìm tiên đan nữa. (That task is very difficult; don't waste your effort searching for a miracle cure anymore.)