Definition

1. Pronoun (archaic):
   • A term of address used by a king or emperor: "Khanh" is an archaic pronoun used exclusively by a Vietnamese monarch (king or emperor) to address his queen, royal concubines, or high-ranking mandarins (court officials). It conveys a sense of favor, intimacy, and royal authority.

Usage Examples

• Pronoun:
  • "Khanh hãy bình thân." (Please be at ease, my queen/official.)
  • "Khanh nghĩ thế nào về việc này?" (What is your opinion on this matter, my official?)
  • Nhà vua nói: "Khanh đã làm tròn bổn phận." (The king said: "You have fulfilled your duty.")

Advanced Usage

• Historical/ Literary Context: The word "khanh" is almost exclusively found in historical texts, period literature, films, or dramas set in feudal Vietnam. It is not used in modern conversation.
• Implied Hierarchy: Its use strictly reinforces the supreme social position of the speaker (the monarch) and the honored status of the listener.

Variants and Related Words

• Khanh tướng (n, archaic): A term referring to high-ranking ministers and generals in the royal court.
• Ái khanh (n, archaic): A more affectionate form, often used by the king to address a favored concubine, meaning "beloved khanh".

Synonyms

• Ngươi (pronoun, archaic): A general archaic "you," but less specific and not exclusive to royal speech. "Khanh" is a more honorific and context-specific variant.
• Khanh gia (n, archaic): Can refer to the residence or the person of a high official, but is not a direct synonym as a term of address.

Notes on Meaning

• Exclusivity of Use: It is critical to remember that "khanh" is only used by the king. A queen, mandarin, or anyone else would never use this word to address the king or each other.
• Cultural Equivalent: In English historical context, the closest approximations are terms like "Our beloved subject" (for mandarins) or "Our dear queen/consort" when translated for meaning, though it functions grammatically as the pronoun "you."

1. (cũ) Our favourite subject (used by a king when addressing the qeen or a royal concubine or a mandarin)