mệnh phụ
Definition
- Noun:
- A noblewoman / a titled lady: A term referring to the wife of a high-ranking mandarin or official in feudal times, who was granted an official title or edict by the monarch.
- A lady of rank: A woman who holds a noble status due to her husband's position and the royal decree conferring that status upon her.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Các mệnh phụ thường mặc trang phục rất cầu kỳ trong các buổi triều yết. (The noblewomen often wore very elaborate attire during royal audiences.)
- Bà là một mệnh phụ được triều đình rất trọng vọng. (She was a titled lady held in high esteem by the court.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "mệnh phụ" is historical and literary, primarily used in contexts discussing feudal society, history, or classical literature. It is not used in modern contexts to refer to contemporary wives of officials.
Variants and Related Words
- Phu nhân (n): Madame; a respectful term for the wife of a high-ranking person. This term can be used in both historical and modern contexts.
- Phu nhân của đại sứ rất thanh lịch. (The ambassador's wife is very elegant.)
Synonyms
- Noblewoman: A woman belonging to the nobility by birth or marriage.
- Lady of rank: A woman holding a high social position.
- Titled lady: A woman who holds a formal title.
Related Idioms
- Mệnh phụ phu nhân: This phrase reinforces the status, meaning "ladies and noblewomen," often used to collectively refer to women of high aristocratic standing.
- Hội nghị quy tụ nhiều mệnh phụ phu nhân trong triều. (The conference gathered many ladies and noblewomen of the court.)