xuất thế

Definition
  1. Verb (Literary/Historical):
    • To renounce the world; to leave secular life: The primary meaning refers to the act of abandoning ordinary worldly life, often to enter a religious order, such as becoming a monk, nun, or ascetic.
    • To be born; to come into the world (of an eminent person): Used in classical contexts to describe the birth or emergence of a great, distinguished, or heroic figure.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • Sau biến cố, ông ấy quyết định xuất thế, đi tu. (After the incident, he decided to renounce the world and become a monk.)
    • Truyền thuyết kể rằng vị anh hùng đó xuất thế trong một đêm giông bão. (Legend says that hero was born on a stormy night.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term is primarily used in historical, religious, or literary contexts and is uncommon in modern daily conversation.
  • It often carries a tone of solemnity, sacrifice (for the first meaning), or destined greatness (for the second meaning).
Variants and Related Words
  • Xuất gia (v): To leave home; a more common and specific term for becoming a Buddhist monk or nun.
    • Cô ấy đã xuất gia từ năm 20 tuổi. (She ordained and left home at the age of 20.)
  • Ra đời (v): To be born; the standard modern term for coming into the world.
    • Cuốn sách mới sẽ ra đời vào tháng tới. (The new book will be published next month.)
Synonyms
  • To renounce the world: To abandon secular life for a spiritual one.
  • To be born (of a great person): To come into existence, to emerge.
Related Idioms and Classical Phrases
  • Xuất thế nhập thế: A philosophical concept meaning "to leave the world and then re-enter it," often describing a cycle of spiritual retreat followed by engaged action in society.
  • Anh hùng xuất thế: "A hero emerges/born," a classic phrase used to describe the arrival of a great leader or savior.