Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Polygamous: Describing a marriage system or practice where a person, specifically a man, has more than one spouse simultaneously.
   • Polygynous: Specifically describing the practice of a man having multiple wives at the same time. This is the most precise meaning of "đa thê" in Vietnamese.

2. Noun (as part of the phrase "chế độ đa thê"):

   • Polygamy: The social institution or custom itself.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Một xã hội đa thê. (A polygamous society.)
  • Phong tục đó mang tính chất đa thê. (That custom is polygynous in nature.)

• Noun (in context):

  • Chế độ đa thê bị cấm ở nhiều quốc gia. (The polygamy system is banned in many countries.)
  • Luật pháp hiện đại thường không thừa nhận đa thê. (Modern law typically does not recognize polygamy.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "đa thê" is almost exclusively used to describe a man having multiple wives. The corresponding term for a woman having multiple husbands is "đa phu."
• It is often discussed in legal, anthropological, or historical contexts concerning marriage customs and family law.

Variants and Related Words

• Chế độ đa thê (n): The system of polygamy.
• Đa phu (adj/n): Polyandrous / polyandry (a woman having multiple husbands).
• Đa hôn (adj/n): Polygamous / polygamy (a more general, less common term that can encompass both polygyny and polyandry).

Synonyms

• Polygamous: Having more than one spouse.
• Polygynous: Specifically having multiple wives.

Related Concepts

• Đơn thê (adj/n): Monogamous / monogamy (the practice of having only one spouse).
• Hôn nhân một vợ một chồng: Monogamous marriage.

adj

1. polygamoug, polygynous