tiên định
Definition
Adjective:
- Predetermined: Referring to something that is decided, fixed, or established in advance, often by fate, destiny, or a prior cause, leaving little to no room for chance or free will.
Noun (Philosophy/Concept):
- Predetermination: The doctrine or concept that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by previously existing causes or a divine will.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Số phận của con người có thật sự là tiên định không? (Is human fate truly predetermined?)
- Mọi chi tiết trong kế hoạch dường như đã được tiên định. (Every detail in the plan seemed to have been predetermined.)
Noun:
- Anh ấy tin vào thuyết tiên định. (He believes in the doctrine of predetermination.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in philosophical, theological, or literary contexts to discuss fate, destiny, or cosmic order.
- Can be applied metaphorically in modern contexts to describe meticulously pre-planned events or systems.
Variants and Related Words
Định mệnh (n): Destiny, fate. Often used interchangeably in casual contexts, though "định mệnh" is more common for "fate" while "tiên định" emphasizes the pre- aspect.
- Họ gặp nhau như do định mệnh. (They met as if by destiny.)
An bài (v/n): To arrange; a pre-arrangement. Suggests a deliberate setup, sometimes by a higher power.
- Mọi thứ đã được an bài. (Everything has been pre-arranged.)
Synonyms
- Predestined: Decreed or determined beforehand, especially by divine will.
- Fated: Governed by fate; inevitable.
- Preordained: Decided or determined in advance.
Related Idioms and Concepts
Số trời đã định: A heavenly/decreed fate. A common idiom expressing that something is fated.
- Đó là số trời đã định, không thể thay đổi. (That is a decreed fate, unchangeable.)
Tiền duyên: Predestined affinity or relationship (often romantic).
- Họ đến với nhau bởi tiền duyên. (They came together due to a predestined affinity.)