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Good Samaritan

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A compassionate person who unselfishly helps others in distress, especially strangers.

Detailed Definition
Biblical in origin (Luke 10), this idiom embodies altruism and moral courage. In poetry, it often appears in social justice verse, parables, or urban lyrics to celebrate anonymous kindness or critique indifference. Poets use it to affirm human decency amid cynicism, positioning the Samaritan as a quiet hero whose actions restore faith. Its religious resonance lends gravitas, while its universal appeal makes it a timeless symbol of empathy in a fractured world.
Example
Example in poetry:
Urban kindness: “Good Samaritan paid my bus fare, vanished before I thanked her name”; War zone: “Enemy soldier, Good Samaritan, shared water, pointed safe path home”; Pandemic act: “Neighbor, Good Samaritan, left groceries on porch during my quarantine”; Biblical update: “Good Samaritan today wears hoodie, helps flat tire, ignores racist stares.”
Additional Notes
Biblical in origin (Luke 10), this idiom embodies altruism and moral courage. In poetry, it appears in social justice verse or urban lyrics to celebrate anonymous kindness. Its religious resonance lends gravitas, while its universal appeal makes it timeless. Students should note the Samaritan was despised—help came from unexpected source. Related phrases include “Good Samaritan law” and “random act of kindness.” In pandemic poetry, it honors frontline workers; in cityscapes, it finds hope in strangers. Avoid sanctimony—focus on action, not sainthood.
Also Known As
Helper Altruist Samaritan
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