gia quan
Một thanh niên trong trang phục truyền thống đang thực hiện nghi lễ gia quan.
Definition
- Noun:
- Coming-of-age ceremony for men in ancient Vietnam: "gia quan" refers specifically to the traditional ceremony marking a boy's transition to manhood, where he would be presented with and wear a hat (nón) for the first time.
- Metaphor for reaching manhood: By extension, "gia quan" can refer to the state of being a grown man or the age of maturity itself.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Lễ gia quan là một nghi thức quan trọng đối với con trai trong xã hội phong kiến. (The "gia quan" ceremony was an important rite for sons in feudal society.)
- Sau khi trải qua lễ gia quan, chàng trai đó được công nhận là một người đàn ông trưởng thành. (After undergoing the "gia quan" ceremony, that young man was recognized as a mature man.)
Advanced Usage
- "tuổi gia quan": the age of maturity (for men).
- Ông ấy đã đến tuổi gia quan từ lâu. (He reached the age of maturity long ago.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lễ trưởng thành: (n) coming-of-age ceremony (a more general, modern term).
- Lễ thành đinh: (n) another historical term for a male coming-of-age ceremony.
Synonyms
- Tuổi trưởng thành: (n) adulthood, age of maturity.
- Lễ đội nón: (n) the hat-wearing ceremony (a descriptive synonym).
Notes on Usage
- Archaisim: The word "gia quan" is an archaic term. It is primarily used in historical, literary, or academic contexts discussing traditional Vietnamese customs. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
- Cultural Specificity: The term is deeply tied to Confucian-influenced Vietnamese feudal society and its specific rites of passage for men.