tự tu
Definition
- Verb (archaic/literary):
- To self-correct; to amend oneself: The act of consciously improving one's own character or behavior by correcting one's faults and shortcomings.
- To cultivate oneself; to self-perfect: The process of striving for moral or personal betterment through self-discipline and reflection.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Cổ nhân thường nói về đạo tự tu. (The ancients often spoke of the way of self-cultivation.)
- Ông ấy ăn năn và quyết tâm tự tu. (He repented and was determined to amend himself.)
- Con đường tự tu đòi hỏi sự kiên trì. (The path of self-perfection requires perseverance.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily found in classical, philosophical, or religious contexts, often related to Confucian or Buddhist teachings on personal morality.
- It implies an inward, personal journey of improvement rather than change forced by external rules.
Variants and Related Words
- Tu dưỡng (v): to cultivate, to nurture (one's virtue, mind). A more common modern synonym.
- Anh ấy luôn chú trọng tu dưỡng đạo đức. (He always focuses on cultivating his morality.)
- Tự sửa mình (v): to correct oneself. A simpler, more colloquial phrase.
Synonyms
- To self-improve: to make oneself better.
- To reform oneself: to change one's behavior for the better.
- To cultivate oneself: to develop one's mind or morals.
Related Idioms
- Tu thân: to cultivate one's personal character. Often used in the classical phrase (cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, bring peace to the world).
- Tu thân là bước đầu tiên của người quân tử. (Self-cultivation is the first step for a noble person.)