Definition

1. Noun:
   • Marriage alliance: A formal union or agreement between two parties, often royal families or states, established through marriage to secure peace, political advantage, or mutual benefit.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hai vương quốc lập ước hoà thân để chấm dứt chiến tranh. (The two kingdoms established a marriage alliance to end the war.)
  • Chính sách hoà thân đã được sử dụng như một công cụ ngoại giao. (The policy of marriage alliance was used as a diplomatic tool.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily historical and diplomatic, referring to a strategic practice common among ruling families.
• It implies a deliberate political act where the marriage itself is the instrument for achieving peace ("hoà") and building familial bonds ("thân").

Variants and Related Words

• Kết thân (v): to become close friends; to form a friendly bond. (Note: This is a related concept of building closeness but does not inherently involve marriage.)
  • Hai nước láng giềng tìm cách kết thân. (The two neighboring countries sought to form a friendly bond.)

Synonyms

• Marriage pact: A formal agreement sealed by marriage.
• Dynastic marriage: A marriage arranged for reasons of state, typically involving royal or noble houses.

Related Idioms

• Lấy vợ đổi tình, gả chồng đổi chính trị: (An idiom describing the transactional nature of some marriages, akin to the concept of a marriage alliance.) "Marrying for love, marrying off for politics."