yểm trừ
Definition
- Verb:
- To exorcise: To drive out or attempt to drive out an evil spirit, demon, or negative supernatural force from a person, place, or object, often through a ritual, incantation, or religious ceremony.
- To conjure (away): To make something, typically something evil or harmful, disappear or become powerless by using magical or spiritual means. This meaning is closely related to exorcism.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Thầy pháp đang yểm trừ tà ma trong ngôi nhà cũ. (The sorcerer is exorcising evil spirits from the old house.)
- Lễ yểm trừ được thực hiện để bảo vệ ngôi làng. (An exorcism ceremony was performed to protect the village.)
- Họ tin rằng bùa này có thể yểm trừ điềm xấu. (They believe this amulet can conjure away bad omens.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in contexts related to folk religion, spiritual practices, and traditional beliefs. It implies a formal or ritualistic act of purification and protection against supernatural harm.
Variants and Related Words
Trừ tà (v): To exorcise evil. A more common synonym in modern Vietnamese.
- Một buổi lễ trừ tà đã được tổ chức. (An exorcism rite was held.)
Yểm (v): To cast a spell (often a harmful or protective one); to hex. This is the root verb, with "yểm trừ" specifically meaning to use such power to remove evil.
- Người ta nói mảnh đất đó bị yểm. (They say that land is hexed.)
Synonyms
- Exorcise: To expel an evil spirit.
- Conjure away: To dispel by magic.
- Cast out: To force something unwanted to leave.
Related Idioms
Yểm trừ tai ương: To exorcise calamity.
- Cộng đồng cùng cầu nguyện để yểm trừ tai ương. (The community prayed together to exorcise calamity.)
Yểm bùa trừ tà: To use talismans/amulets for exorcism.
- Cửa hàng bán các loại yểm bùa trừ tà. (The shop sells various types of exorcism talismans.)