ướp xác

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To embalm a corpse: The process of treating a dead body with chemicals, oils, and resins to prevent decay and preserve it, often for burial or ceremonial purposes.
   • To mummify: Specifically refers to the ancient practice, like that of the Egyptians, of embalming and wrapping a corpse to create a mummy.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người Ai Cập cổ đại có kỹ thuật ướp xác rất tinh vi. (The ancient Egyptians had a very sophisticated technique for embalming corpses.)
  • Thi thể được ướp xác cẩn thận trước khi đem chôn cất. (The body was carefully embalmed before burial.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is used almost exclusively in historical, archaeological, or forensic contexts. It describes a deliberate, technical process rather than natural preservation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ướp (v): to marinate, to pickle, to preserve (food). This is the root verb, highlighting the core concept of preservation.
  • Ướp thịt với gia vị. (To marinate meat with spices.)
• Xác ướp (n): a mummy. This is the noun form for the preserved body itself.
  • Xác ướp được đặt trong quan tài. (The mummy was placed in a sarcophagus.)

Synonyms

• Embalm: To treat a body to preserve it from decay.
• Mummify: To make into a mummy.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms directly using the phrase "ướp xác." The concept is typically expressed literally.