Definition

1. Noun:
   • Chief Mourner (specifically the eldest son): In traditional Vietnamese funeral rites, "hiếu chủ" refers to the primary mourner, who is customarily the eldest son of the deceased. This person leads the funeral ceremonies and rituals.
   • Head of the Bereaved Family: An archaic or formal term for the person who is legally and ritually responsible for conducting the funeral of a family member.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong đám tang, người con trai cả đóng vai trò hiếu chủ. (At the funeral, the eldest son acts as the chief mourner.)
  • Hiếu chủ đang đứng trước bàn thờ để thực hiện nghi lễ. (The head of the bereaved family is standing in front of the altar to perform the ritual.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "hiếu chủ" is deeply rooted in Confucian family structure and traditional funeral customs. Its usage is now mostly formal, ritualistic, or found in historical/literary contexts. In modern, everyday language, people might describe the role (e.g., "người con cả lo việc tang lễ" - the eldest son handles the funeral affairs) rather than use the specific term "hiếu chủ".

Variants and Related Words

• Chủ tang (n): A more general, formal term for the person in charge of funeral arrangements. "Hiếu chủ" is a specific type of "chủ tang".
• Trưởng nam (n): Eldest son. This term specifies the family position, while "hiếu chủ" specifies the ritual role derived from that position.
• Hiếu (n): Filial piety; mourning. This is the root word, indicating the context of mourning and duty to parents.

Synonyms

• Người chịu tang chính: The principal mourner.
• Người đứng ra lo tang lễ: The person who organizes/handles the funeral.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Đứng ra làm hiếu chủ: To take on the role of the chief mourner (implies taking responsibility for organizing and leading the funeral rites).
  • Vì là con trai cả, anh ấy phải đứng ra làm hiếu chủ. (As the eldest son, he had to take on the role of the chief mourner.)

1. Eldest son of a parent whose burial is under way