Definition

Noun: - Hell; Hades; the underworld; the palace of the underworld: A term, now considered archaic or literary, referring to the realm of the dead in traditional Vietnamese belief, similar to the concept of hell or the underworld. It denotes the palace or dwelling place in the afterlife.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old tale describes the hero descending into the âm cung to rescue a soul. (Câu chuyện cổ kể về người anh hùng xuống âm cung để giải cứu một linh hồn.)
  • In traditional beliefs, the âm cung is ruled by the King of Hell. (Theo tín ngưỡng dân gian, âm cung do Diêm Vương cai quản.)
  • The term âm cung evokes images of a dark, subterranean palace for the deceased. (Từ âm cung gợi lên hình ảnh một cung điện ngầm tối tăm dành cho người đã khuất.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is primarily used in literary, historical, or folkloric contexts. It is not common in modern, everyday conversation. When used, it often carries a poetic or solemn tone.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe a place of extreme suffering or gloom, though this is less common than with the more modern word "âm phủ".

Variants and Related Words

• Âm phủ (noun): The more common and contemporary term for "hell" or "the underworld". While âm cung specifically suggests a "palace", âm phủ refers to the "prefecture" or administrative domain of the underworld.
• Địa ngục (noun): Hell; inferno. A term often used in Buddhist or general religious contexts.
• Cõi âm (noun): The netherworld; the realm of the dead (a more general term).

Synonyms

• Hell: Địa ngục, âm phủ.
• The underworld: Thế giới bên kia, cõi âm.
• Hades: (In Greek mythology context) Địa ngục.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Xuống âm cung: To go down to the underworld. (Literary)
  • Vị tướng dũng cảm đã xuống âm cung đòi lại công lý. (The brave general went down to the underworld to demand justice.)

noun

1. hell; hades