thần

See also: than, thân, Thân, thận, and þan

Contents

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [tʰən˨˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [tʰəŋ˦˩]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [tʰəŋ˨˩]

Etymology 1

Sino-Vietnamese word from 神.

Noun

(classifier vị) thần

1. a deity; a god
2. a spirit

Usage notes

• The sole deity in any monotheistic religion, such as the Christian God, are never referred to as *Thần (compare Chinese 神, Japanese 神 (Kami)), but as Chúa (literally “the Lord”). But, thần can also be reffered to as a spirit, therefore the Holy Ghost the third person of the Christian God is called Thánh Thần.

Derived terms

• nữ thần (女神, “goddess”)
• Thánh Thần (聖神, “Holy Spirit”)

 

Etymology 2

Sino-Vietnamese word from 臣.

Pronoun

thần

1. (archaic, to royalty) I/me, your royal/imperial servant