kế thất

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The Vietnamese word "kế thất" refers to a "secondary wife" or "concubine." It is often used in historical or traditional contexts to describe a woman who has a relationship with a man who is already married, typically with the acknowledgment of the primary wife. In modern usage, it can also imply a situation where the woman is not the main spouse but still has a recognized role in the family.

Usage Instructions:

• "Kế thất" is not commonly used in everyday conversation in modern Vietnam, but it may appear in historical discussions, literature, or when talking about traditional family structures.
• It is important to understand the cultural context when using this term, as it may carry connotations of hierarchy within relationships.

Example:

• In a historical context: "Trong xã hội phong kiến, người ta thường có vợ chính và vợ kế thất." (In feudal society, people often had a primary wife and secondary wives.)

Advanced Usage:

• In literature, "kế thất" can be used to explore themes of love, rivalry, and the dynamics of family relationships. For instance, one might write about the emotional struggles of a "kế thất" in a story where she deals with her position in a polygamous family.

Word Variants:

• The term can be combined with other words to create phrases, such as:
  • "kế thất của vua" (the concubine of the king)
  • "kế thất trong gia đình" (the secondary wife in a family)

Different Meanings:

• While "kế thất" primarily refers to a secondary wife, it may also imply broader themes of social status, power dynamics, and historical practices surrounding marriage in Vietnamese culture.

Synonyms:

• "Vợ lẽ": This is another term for a secondary wife or concubine and is more commonly used in modern Vietnamese.
• "Thê thiếp": This term can also refer to wives or concubines and is often used in a more literary or formal context.

Academic

1. như vợ kế