tông đường

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ancestral temple / Ancestral house: The primary meaning refers to the physical house or temple dedicated to the worship of a family's ancestors. It is the place where lineage rites are performed.
   • Lineage / Family line: By extension, it can symbolize the continuation of the family line or ancestry itself, emphasizing the duty to preserve the family heritage.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Gia đình anh ấy giữ gìn tông đường rất cẩn thận. (His family maintains their ancestral temple very carefully.)
  • Người con trai trưởng có trách nhiệm nối dõi tông đường. (The eldest son has the responsibility to continue the family line.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept is deeply tied to Confucian values of filial piety and ancestor veneration. The phrase "nối dõi tông đường" (to continue the ancestral line) is a fixed expression denoting the crucial duty, often placed on male descendants, to ensure the family line does not die out.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhà thờ tổ (n): Ancestral shrine. A more common modern term for a family's worship house.
• Gia tộc (n): Clan, extended family.
• Tổ tiên (n): Ancestors, forefathers.

Synonyms

• Ancestral shrine: A place for ancestor worship.
• Lineage: Direct descent from an ancestor.
• Heritage: Valued traditions and history passed down.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Nối dõi tông đường: To continue the ancestral line; to have offspring (specifically sons) to carry on the family name and rites.
  • Áp lực nối dõi tông đường trong xã hội xưa rất lớn. (The pressure to continue the ancestral line in ancient society was very great.)