khuê bổn
Definition
- Noun:
- A woman's private chamber or boudoir: This term traditionally refers to the secluded living quarters of a young, unmarried woman in a Confucian household.
- A woman of good upbringing and virtue: By metonymy, "khuê bổn" is used to describe a young woman herself, emphasizing her refinement, modesty, and proper family background.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy là một tiểu thư khuê bổn, chưa từng ra khỏi nhà một mình. (She is a young lady of the boudoir, who has never left the house alone.)
- Gia đình ấy rất tự hào vì con gái họ đúng là khuê bổn. (That family is very proud because their daughter is truly a woman of good virtue.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is archaic and literary, primarily found in classical literature, poetry, or formal historical contexts. It evokes imagery of traditional Confucian family structures where women were kept in seclusion.
Variants and Related Words
- Khuê phòng (n): Another term for a lady's chamber or boudoir.
- Khuê các (n): A pavilion or chamber for unmarried women, often used poetically.
Synonyms
- Boudoir: A woman's private sitting room or bedroom.
- Virtuous maiden: A young woman of high moral standards and good breeding.
Related Idioms
- Khuê môn: Refers to the women's quarters or, by extension, to women themselves from respectable families.
- Công việc đó không phù hợp với người trong khuê môn. (That work is not suitable for a woman from a respectable family.)