Definition

1. Noun:
   • Virtuous wife; good wife: A respectful and literary term used by a husband to refer to his own wife, emphasizing her virtuous qualities. This term is now considered old-fashioned or literary in modern Vietnamese.
   • My dear wife: An affectionate and somewhat formal term of address for one's wife.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tôi xin giới thiệu cùng quý vị, đây là hiền thê của tôi. (May I introduce to everyone, this is my virtuous wife.)
  • Hiền thê của tôi đã chuẩn bị bữa tối. (My good wife has prepared dinner.)
  • "Cảm ơn hiền thê," anh ấy nói một cách trìu mến. ("Thank you, my dear wife," he said affectionately.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "hiền thê" is used almost exclusively by the husband to refer to or address his own wife. It carries connotations of respect, virtue, and formality, and is rooted in Confucian family values.
• It is often found in classical literature, historical dramas, or used humorously/ironically in modern contexts to mimic old-fashioned speech.
• It is typically used in the third person (e.g., "hiền thê của tôi" - my virtuous wife) or as a term of direct address.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiền (adj): Gentle, kind, virtuous. This is the root adjective describing the quality.
  • Cô ấy là một người rất hiền. (She is a very gentle person.)
• Phu nhân (n): Madame; wife (formal, respectful, often for someone of high status). This is more formal and can be used by others, not just the husband.
  • Phu nhân của đại sứ. (The ambassador's wife.)
• Nội tướng (n): (Literally "domestic general") A colloquial and affectionate term for "wife" who manages the household.
  • Nội tướng của tôi quản lý mọi việc rất tốt. (My wife manages everything very well.)

Synonyms

• Vợ (n): Wife (the standard, neutral, and most common term).
  • Vợ tôi là giáo viên. (My wife is a teacher.)
• Bà xã (n): Wife (a very common, informal, and affectionate term).
  • Bà xã tôi đang đi chợ. (My wife is at the market.)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Trai tài gái hiền: A talented man and a virtuous woman (a traditional ideal couple).
  • Họ thật là một cặp trai tài gái hiền. (They are truly a couple of a talented man and a virtuous woman.)
• Hiền như bụt: As gentle as a Buddha (an idiom meaning extremely gentle and kind).
  • Tính cô ấy hiền như bụt. (Her nature is as gentle as a Buddha.)

1. Virtuous wife.
2. (từ cũ; nghĩa cũ, văn chương) my good wife!