What does "phách" in "lạc phách" mean?

In the book *Tầm nguyên từ điển* (published by Vân-Hạc Lê Văn Hòe - Quốc Học Thư Xã in 1942, reprinted by NXB Trẻ in the first quarter of 2026), the interpretation of the word "phách" in "lạc phách" is mentioned.

The entry for "soul and spirit" in the Etymological Dictionary explains: "SOUL AND SPIRIT 魂魄: Humans and animals have two parts. One tangible part is the body. One intangible part is the spirit. The spirit is also called the Soul; the body is also called the Spirit." "Men have 3 parts soul and 7 parts spirit; women have 3 parts soul and 9 parts spirit, implying that the human body is heavier than the soul."

"Lạc" means to fall or drop.

"Losing one's soul means losing one's physical form, figuratively meaning unemployment."

Vân-Hạc Lê Văn Hòe's explanation contains several misunderstandings. These are: 1. Equating "phách" (spirit/soul) with "phách" (body/physical form); 2. Confusing the "phách" (spirit/soul) in the idiom "kinh hồn lạc phách" (terrified and disoriented) with the "phách" (the Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation should be "thác") in the words "lạc thác"/"lạc phách" (lost, unemployed, without support).

Let's address each issue one by one.

1. “Phách” (spirit, soul) is different from “phách” (physical body, physical form).

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According to ancient beliefs, humans have a "soul" (spirit) and a "spirit" (soul/essence). The vital energy and consciousness that depend on and are attached to the physical body of a person is called the "spirit" (soul/essence), to distinguish it from the "soul" (魂), which is the spiritual part conceived as being able to separate from the body and exist independently. Normally, both the "soul" and the "spirit" depend on the physical body. However, according to common belief, upon death, only the soul can leave the body and exist outside the body; the "spirit" (soul/essence) gradually dissipates with the body. Therefore, sometimes "spirit" or "body/essence" is used to refer to the human body, for example: "The body is the physical body, but the spirit is the essence" - Kiều (the part that is lost is the physical body, while the "spirit," or soul, remains and exists outside the body).

However, "phách" should not be simply understood as the human body or physical form.

The Chinese Dictionary, under the entry for "phách" (soul), quotes Kong Yingda's commentary: "When a person is born, they first transform into a physical form; the spiritual essence of that form is called the 'phách'... The spiritual energy that resides in that form is called the 'phách'." This commentary shows us that the 'phách' is not the physical form itself, but rather the spiritual essence, life force, and divine power residing within the form and inseparable from it. That is, the 'phách' (魄) is a spiritual entity or life force attached to the physical body, not the physical body itself. According to folk beliefs, 'hồn' (soul) belongs to yang, leaning towards the spiritual and conscious aspects; 'phách' (soul) belongs to yin, attached to the physical form and its activities. A person with 'phách' is someone with a strong spirit, unafraid when faced with challenges; conversely, a person who is 'weak-willed' (i.e., lacking 'phách') is timid, fearful, and easily subdued.

Thus, "soul" and "spirit" are connected to the physical body, enabling its functioning. Both Vietnamese and Chinese idioms contain phrases such as: "Soul shaken and spirit scattered," "Soul flying and spirit scattered" (魂飛魄散), "Soul terrified and spirit lost" (魂驚魄落), "Losing soul and spirit" (失魂落魄), "Terrifying soul and spirit" (or "scattered soul and spirit"), "soul and spirit ascending to the clouds"... These folk metaphors, "soul flying," "soul terrified," "lost soul," "spirit scattered," "spirit lost," "spirit scattered," etc., refer to fear so intense that one loses all spirit; it seems as if the soul and spirit have left the body, not "losing spirit" as in the explanation of Vân-Hạc Lê Văn Hòe. Because of the fear of losing one's soul, people still practice a ritual called "chao vía" or "calling the soul" back for those who have recently experienced a mental shock (due to fear); or during the embalming ceremony, they call "three souls and seven spirits" or "three souls and nine spirits" back to "enter the coffin." This shows that not only the "soul" but also the "spirit" can leave the physical body.

2. "Losing one's spirit" (losing one's mind) and "losing one's spirit" (being unemployed)

Besides equating "phách" (spirit/soul) with "phách" (physical body), Lê Văn Hòe also equated "lạc phách" (losing one's spirit/soul) with "lạc phách" (unemployment). He explained: "Lạc phách means the body is falling, figuratively meaning unemployment." However, the character "phách" (魄) in "lạc phách" (落魄), although having the same form, has a different meaning.

The character “phách” 魄 in “lạc phách” (meaning decline, failure) is a character used interchangeably with “thác” 拓. According to the correct Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation of this meaning, it should be read as “thác” (although in practice it is often pronounced “lạc phách”). Because the character “phách” 魄 in this case is used interchangeably with “thác” 拓, it is essentially the word “lạc thác” 落拓. The Chinese Dictionary defines “lạc thác” as: poverty; destitution; unemployment...

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Thus, from equating "phách" (spirit/soul) with "phách" (physical body), Lê Văn Hòe interpreted "lạc phách" (losing one's spirit/soul) as "lạc phách" = "falling body". The author of the Etymological Dictionary further erred by suggesting that "unemployment" is a figurative meaning of "lạc phách" ("falling body"), while in reality, "lạc phách" (losing one's spirit/soul) and "lạc phách"/"lạc thác" (decline, failure, helplessness) are actually two different uses of the character 魄 (phách).

Man Nong (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phach-trong-lac-phach-nghia-la-gi-291974.htm