long nhan
Definition
- Noun (Archaic):
- The emperor's face; the royal countenance: A term used in historical and literary contexts to refer to the face of a Vietnamese king or emperor, often implying reverence and majesty.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Các đại thần cúi đầu không dám nhìn thẳng vào long nhan. (The mandarins bowed their heads, not daring to look directly at the royal countenance.)
- Long nhan của bệ hạ hôm nay có vẻ không được vui. (Your Majesty's countenance appears displeased today.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is almost exclusively found in historical narratives, classical literature, or in stylized speech about the feudal monarchy. It is not used in modern, everyday conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Thiên nhan (n): A similarly archaic term meaning "the sovereign's face" or "imperial visage."
- Thiên nhan rạng rỡ. (The imperial visage is radiant.)
Synonyms
- Royal visage: The face of a king or queen.
- Imperial countenance: The appearance or expression of an emperor's face.
Related Idioms
- Long nhan bất duyệt: Literally "the royal countenance is not pleased," meaning the king is angry or displeased.
- Long nhan bất duyệt, triều thần đều run sợ. (The royal countenance was displeased, and all the court officials trembled in fear.)