thiêng liêng
adjective
Hanoi [tʰiəŋ˧˧ liəŋ˧˧]Huế [tʰiəŋ˧˧ liəŋ˧˧]Saigon [tʰiəŋ˧˧ liəŋ˧˧] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
thiêng liêng means spiritual; sacred.
Meanings of thiêng liêng in English
Adjective
- spiritual; sacred
- giây phút thiêng liêngsacred moment(s)
Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)
Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, thiêng liêng could be written as 声令, 𤍌令, 声灵, 𪬮灵. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.
Etymology
Neither a result of reduplication of thiêng nor non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 精靈 (SV: tinh linh), but more likely non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 聖靈 (SV: thánh linh).
Frequently asked questions
What does thiêng liêng mean in English?
thiêng liêng (adjective) means "spiritual; sacred".
How do you pronounce thiêng liêng?
IPA: Hanoi [tʰiəŋ˧˧ liəŋ˧˧]; Saigon [tʰiəŋ˧˧ liəŋ˧˧]. Tones: thiêng — level tone (ngang), liêng — level tone (ngang).