Definitions

1. Verb Phrase:
   • To become a monk or a nun; to enter a religious order. This phrase specifically refers to the act of leaving secular life to dedicate oneself fully to religious practice, typically in a monastery or convent.
   • To take religious vows; to be ordained into a monastic life.

Usage Examples

• Verb Phrase:
  • Sau một biến cố lớn trong đời, anh ấy quyết định đi tu. (After a major life event, he decided to become a monk.)
  • Cô ấy đã đi tu từ năm 18 tuổi. (She entered the convent at the age of 18.)
  • Ước mơ của bà tôi là một ngày nào đó được đi tu. (My grandmother's dream is to become a nun one day.)

Advanced Usage

• "đi tu" vs. "đi tu hành": While both refer to a religious life, "đi tu" strongly implies entering an institution and taking formal vows. "Đi tu hành" can have a broader meaning, encompassing the life and practice of an ascetic or religious practitioner, which may not always involve residing in a formal monastery.
  • Ông ấy đi tu ở chùa Bái Đính. (He became a monk at Bai Dinh Pagoda.)
  • Sau khi nghỉ hưu, ông cụ về quê đi tu hành. (After retiring, the old man returned to his hometown to lead a religious ascetic life.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xuất gia (verb): A more formal and literary term, often used in Buddhist context, meaning "to leave home (for the religious life)". It is a close synonym for "đi tu".
  • Quyết định xuất gia của cô ấy khiến mọi người bất ngờ. (Her decision to ordain surprised everyone.)
• Tu hành (verb): To practice religion; to cultivate virtue and follow religious disciplines. This is the core activity one does after "đi tu".
  • Các nhà sư đang tu hành trong chùa. (The monks are practicing their religion in the pagoda.)
• Nhà tu (noun): A religious person; a monk or nun.
  • Các nhà tu thường có đời sống giản dị. (Religious persons often lead simple lives.)

Synonyms

• Thọ giới: To receive the precepts; to be ordained (used in Buddhism).
• Vào chùa / Vào tu viện: To enter a pagoda / monastery (literally, describes the action of going into the institution).

Related Idioms

• Chưa *đi tu đã muốn hoàn tục*: Literally "Wanting to return to secular life even before becoming a monk/nun." This idiom criticizes someone who gives up or complains about difficulties at the very beginning of a challenging endeavor.
  • Công việc mới vừa bắt đầu đã khó, đừng có chưa đi tu đã muốn hoàn tục. (The new job is just starting and is difficult, don't give up at the first hurdle.)

1. Take the vow, go into a monastery, go into a nunnerỵ.