đền nghì

Người con trai trưởng thành luôn nhớ đến đền nghì đối với cha mẹ.

Definition

1. Verb (literary, archaic):
   • To repay a moral debt: To fulfill a moral obligation, especially one arising from gratitude, loyalty, or a profound sense of duty. It implies a reciprocal act that repays kindness, favor, or a deep emotional bond.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông ấy luôn tìm cách đền nghì những người đã giúp đỡ mình. (He always seeks ways to repay the moral debt to those who helped him.)
  • Câu chuyện cổ tích kể về người anh hùng đền nghì ân nhân cứu mạng. (The fairy tale tells of a hero repaying the moral debt to the benefactor who saved his life.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily found in classical literature, historical texts, or formal, elevated speech. It conveys a sense of honor and sacred duty beyond a simple transaction.

Variants and Related Words

• Đền ơn (v): to repay a favor or kindness (more common in modern usage).

  • Cô ấy làm việc đó để đền ơn sự hỗ trợ của họ. (She did that to repay their supportive kindness.)

• Báo nghĩa (v): to require, to return a good deed (similar literary connotation).

  • Truyền thống báo nghĩa rất được coi trọng. (The tradition of requiring good deeds is highly valued.)

Synonyms

• Repay: to pay back or return a favor.
• Requite: to make appropriate return for (a kindness, service, etc.).
• Fulfill an obligation: to satisfy the requirements of a duty.

Related Idioms

• Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây: (lit., When eating the fruit, remember the planter.) This idiom expresses a similar concept of gratitude and moral obligation to one's benefactors.
  • Phải biết "ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây", đó là đền nghì vậy. (One must "remember the planter when eating the fruit"; that is repaying a moral debt.)