Definition

Verb phrase: - To maintain one's chastity (as a widow): To uphold the traditional virtue of not remarrying after one's husband's death, remaining faithful to his memory. This term is strongly associated with historical Confucian values. - To preserve one's integrity or fidelity: In a broader, more archaic sense, it can imply steadfastly maintaining one's moral principles or loyalty.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Theo quan niệm xưa, người phụ nữ góa chồng phải giữ tiết. (According to old beliefs, a widowed woman had to keep her chastity.)
  • Bà ấy đã thề giữ tiết thờ chồng suốt đời. (She vowed to remain faithful to her late husband for life.)
  • (Archaic) Bậc trung thần giữ tiết với vua. (A loyal minister preserves his integrity toward the king.)

Advanced Usage

• "Người giữ tiết": A chaste widow; a woman who upholds this virtue.
  • Trong làng, mọi người đều kính trọng bà cụ là một người giữ tiết. (In the village, everyone respects the old lady as a chaste widow.)
• This concept is deeply rooted in feudal society and is now considered an outdated and oppressive expectation. Modern usage typically appears in historical or literary contexts to describe past social norms.

Variants and Related Words

• Thủ tiết (verb): A synonym meaning to keep one's chastity or fidelity, also archaic.
• Tiết hạnh (noun): Chastity and virtue (of a woman).
• Trinh tiết (noun): Virginity; chastity.

Synonyms

• Thủ tiết: To keep one's chastity/fidelity.
• Ở vậy (verb): To live alone (as a widow), not to remarry. (This is a more neutral, descriptive term without the heavy moral connotation of ).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Tiết liệt": Unbending integrity and loyalty, often unto death. While related to steadfastness, this term is stronger and not exclusively about widowhood.
  • Tấm gương tiết liệt của các anh hùng. (The example of unbending integrity set by the heroes.)

1. Keep one's chastity (said of a widow who does not marry again)