cheo cưới

Definition

Noun:
- Traditional marriage formalities/customs: Refers to the complete set of traditional rites, procedures, and customs associated with marriage, especially in old Vietnamese rural society. It encompasses the formalities and ceremonies required to solemnize a union according to customary law.
- Marriage ceremony (archaic/contextual): Can refer to the marriage ceremony itself when understood within the context of these traditional customs.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- Họ lấy nhau có cheo cưới hẳn hoi. (Their marriage was conducted with full traditional formalities.)
- Theo tục lệ cũ, cheo cưới là điều bắt buộc. (According to old customs, cheo cưới was mandatory.)
- Cheo cưới ngày xưa thường có nhiều nghi thức phức tạp. (Traditional marriage formalities in the old days often involved many complex rituals.)

Advanced Usage

The term cheo cưới is often used in historical, anthropological, or nostalgic contexts to describe the traditional marriage process as a complete institution, contrasting with modern, simplified procedures.
It implies a sense of legitimacy, social recognition, and completeness when a marriage is conducted "có cheo cưới".

Variants and Related Words

Cheo (n, archaic): A specific fee or contribution paid to the village commune as part of the marriage formalities, granting the couple recognition and rights within the community. This is a key component of .
Cưới xin (n): A more general and modern term for marriage and wedding activities. is a more specific, traditional subset of .
Hôn lễ (n): Wedding ceremony. This is a component within the broader scope of .

Synonyms

Notes on Meaning

Cultural/Historical Term: Cheo cưới is deeply rooted in Vietnamese feudal and agricultural society. It represents not just the wedding day but the entire process that complied with communal rules.
Contrast with Modern Usage: In contemporary language, the term is less common for describing modern weddings unless specifically referring to traditional or old-fashioned practices. The concept of the "cheo" fee is largely obsolete.
Implied Meaning: Using cheo cưới often carries connotations of formality, tradition, social propriety, and sometimes the associated expenses ("cheo cưới tốn kém" - costly marriage formalities).