The Vietnamese term "nhang khói" refers to incense smoke, commonly produced by burning incense sticks (nhang). It is often associated with rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual practices in Vietnamese culture, where incense is used to honor ancestors, offer prayers, or create a peaceful atmosphere.
Explanation:
Basic Meaning: "Nhang khói" literally translates to "incense smoke." It consists of two parts: "nhang" meaning "incense" and "khói" meaning "smoke."
Usage: You would use "nhang khói" in contexts related to religious or cultural practices. For example, during Tết (the Lunar New Year), families often light incense to pay respects to their ancestors.
Examples:
"Trong lễ cúng, người ta thường thắp nhang khói để tưởng nhớ tổ tiên."
(In the ceremony, people often light incense smoke to remember their ancestors.)
"Nhang khói bay lên, mang theo những lời cầu nguyện của chúng tôi."
(The incense smoke rises, carrying our prayers.)
Word Variants:
Nhang: Refers to the incense stick itself, which can come in various forms and scents.
Khói: Refers to smoke in general, which can be produced by various sources, not just incense.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
Hương khói: This can also mean "incense" but is more poetic and refers to the fragrance of incense rather than just the smoke.
Khói hương: Similar usage where it refers to the aromatic smoke from incense.
Cultural Context:
In Vietnamese culture, "nhang khói" holds significant spiritual meaning. It is not just a physical phenomenon; it represents communication with the spiritual world, and the act of burning incense signifies respect, remembrance, and devotion.
Summary:
"nhang khói" is an important cultural term in Vietnam, symbolizing the connection between the living and the deceased through the act of burning incense.