tông môn
Definition
- Noun:
- Ancestral temple; clan shrine: The primary meaning refers to a physical temple or hall dedicated to the worship of a family's ancestors and the collective spirits of a lineage.
- Lineage; clan; family house: By extension, it refers to the familial line, clan, or dynasty itself, encompassing its heritage, reputation, and continuity.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Tông môn của dòng họ đó rất linh thiêng. (The ancestral temple of that clan is very sacred.)
- Anh ấy là người kế tục cho cả một tông môn lớn. (He is the successor to a great lineage.)
- Làm rạng rỡ tông môn là trách nhiệm của con cháu. (Bringing honor to the family line is the descendants' responsibility.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is formal and literary, often used in historical, cultural, or ceremonial contexts. It carries a weight of tradition, duty, and collective family identity.
Variants and Related Words
- Tôn miếu (n): A closely related synonym, also meaning ancestral temple or shrine.
- Gia tộc (n): Clan, family. This is a more common, general term for an extended family group.
- Phả hệ (n): Genealogy, family tree.
Synonyms
- Ancestral temple
- Lineage
- Clan
- Dynasty (in specific contexts)
Related Concepts
- Thờ cúng tổ tiên (ancestor worship): The practice associated with the .
- Hương hỏa (incense and fire): Symbolizes the continuity of ancestral rites, often maintained at the .