Definition

1. Noun:
   • "Ghen ngược" is a Vietnamese compound noun describing a specific, historically rooted social phenomenon. It refers to the jealousy displayed by a concubine (secondary wife) towards the principal wife in a polygamous marriage system. The term literally means "reverse jealousy" or "inverted jealousy," highlighting its perceived illogical or contrary-to-norms nature, as the concubine, being in a socially subordinate position, is jealous of the woman who holds the primary status.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong xã hội phong kiến, chuyện ghen ngược không phải là hiếm. (In feudal society, the phenomenon of ghen ngược was not rare.)
  • Câu chuyện cổ tích đó kể về một người thiếp vì ghen ngược mà hãm hại vợ cả. (That folk tale tells of a concubine who, due to ghen ngược, harmed the principal wife.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "ghen ngược" is primarily used in historical, literary, or sociological contexts to describe dynamics in old polygamous families. It carries a critical or descriptive tone, often implying the jealousy is misplaced, unreasonable, or stems from a complicated power structure.
  • Nhân vật ấy là hiện thân của sự ghen ngược, một sản phẩm của chế độ đa thê. (That character is the embodiment of ghen ngược, a product of the polygamy system.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ghen (v/n): to be jealous; jealousy. This is the root word.
• Ghen tuông (n): jealousy (in romantic relationships, general term).
• Vợ cả (n): principal wife, first wife.
• Vợ lẽ / Thiếp (n): concubine, secondary wife.

Synonyms

• Sự ghen tị trái ngược / phi lý: Illogical or inverted jealousy. (This is a descriptive phrase, not a fixed term like ).

Notes on Meaning

• Historical Context: The concept is deeply tied to Vietnam's past feudal and polygamous social structures. It is less applicable to modern monogamous relationships but can be used metaphorically or in historical analysis.
• Nuance: The "ngược" (reverse/inverted) part emphasizes the contradiction in the social hierarchy. The jealousy flows "upwards" from a lower-status person towards a higher-status one, which was considered against the natural order of that societal framework.

1. Be nonsensically jealous (nói về vợ lẽ ghen vợ cả)