tông đồ
Definition
- Noun:
- Apostle: A principal disciple or missionary of Jesus Christ, specifically one of the twelve chosen by him to spread his teachings.
- A fervent advocate or pioneer: A person who vigorously promotes or initiates a new idea, cause, or theory.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Thánh Phêrô là một trong mười hai tông đồ. (Saint Peter was one of the twelve apostles.)
- Ông ấy được coi như một tông đồ của phong trào bảo vệ môi trường. (He is considered an apostle of the environmental protection movement.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in formal, historical, and religious contexts. It can be used metaphorically in secular contexts to denote a leading proponent.
Variants and Related Words
- Tông đồ giáo dân (n): lay apostle.
- Cô ấy hoạt động như một tông đồ giáo dân trong giáo xứ. (She serves as a lay apostle in the parish.)
Synonyms
- Disciple: A follower or student of a teacher.
- Messenger: One who carries a message or doctrine.
- Evangelist: A person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith.
- Champion: A person who vigorously supports or defends a cause.
Related Idioms
- While there are no direct idioms with "tông đồ," the concept is central to the idiom "nhiệt thành như các tông đồ" (fervent like the apostles), describing great zeal and dedication.
- Họ làm việc nhiệt thành như các tông đồ. (They work with the fervor of the apostles.)