Definition

1. Noun:
   • East Palace: The literal meaning refers to the palace located in the eastern part of the imperial compound.
   • Crown Prince's Residence: The specific palace or residence designated for the crown prince.
   • Crown Prince (by metonymy): A term used to refer to the crown prince himself, derived from the name of his residence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sau lễ sách phong, thái tử sẽ chính thức dọn về ở tại đông cung. (After the investiture ceremony, the crown prince will officially move to reside in the East Palace.)
  • Đông cung thái tử được xây dựng rất trang nghiêm và lộng lẫy. (The Crown Prince's East Palace was built very solemnly and magnificently.)
  • Mọi người đều kính trọng đông cung. (Everyone respects the Crown Prince.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in historical contexts, literature, or when discussing feudal dynasties. It is considered an archaic term in modern Vietnamese.
• The term can be used metonymically, where the place name ("đông cung") stands for the person who resides there (the crown prince).

Variants and Related Words

• Đông cung thái tử: A fuller term specifically meaning "Crown Prince of the East Palace" or simply "Crown Prince."
• Thái tử: Crown Prince. This is the more common and direct term for "crown prince" without the architectural reference.
• Hoàng thái tử: Imperial Crown Prince (a more formal title).

Synonyms

• Thái tử: Crown Prince.
• Trữ quân: (Literary) The stored/designated lord; another term for crown prince.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Anh hùng khó qua ải mỹ nhân, đông cung khó tránh thuyền quyên: (Idiomatic) A hero can hardly pass the test of a beauty, the crown prince can hardly avoid charming women. This illustrates a classic conflict in historical narratives.
• Phận đông cung: The fate/position of the crown prince. Often used to imply a life of great responsibility and danger.
  • Phận đông cung chưa bao giờ là dễ dàng. (The lot of a crown prince has never been easy.)

1. (từ cũ) East palace
2. Crown prince's residence
3. Crown prince