người khuê các
Definition
- Noun:
- A woman of noble or aristocratic upbringing; a lady from a wealthy and refined family. This term traditionally refers to a young woman who lives in a secluded, elegant chamber ("khuê phòng"), implying she is from a prestigious, well-bred family.
- A refined and virtuous maiden. It carries connotations of grace, good education, and the sheltered life typical of daughters in high-status families in historical contexts.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nàng là một người khuê các, chưa từng biết đến sự cực nhọc. (She is a lady of noble birth, who has never known hardship.)
- Tính cách dịu dàng của cô ấy đúng là phong thái của một người khuê các. (Her gentle demeanor is truly the manner of a refined lady.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily literary or historical, evoking the image of a virtuous, educated woman from a wealthy family in pre-modern Vietnamese society. It is rarely used in contemporary everyday speech.
Variants and Related Words
Khuê nữ (n): A maiden, a young unmarried woman of good family. Often used synonymously with "người khuê các" but can be slightly broader.
- Truyện cổ thường có hình ảnh những khuê nữ tài sắc. (Folk tales often feature images of talented and beautiful maidens.)
Khuê phòng (n): The boudoir; the secluded chamber or private room of a young woman in a traditional wealthy household.
- Cô gái thường ở trong khuê phòng đọc sách và thêu thùa. (The girl often stayed in her boudoir reading books and embroidering.)
Synonyms
- Noblewoman: A woman belonging to the nobility.
- Lady of high birth: A woman born into an aristocratic or very wealthy family.
- Refined maiden: A young woman characterized by elegance, culture, and virtue.
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Con nhà khuê các: Literally "a child from a noble house." This phrase reinforces the idea of being born into and raised in a family of high social standing and refinement.
- Cô ấy là con nhà khuê các, được giáo dục rất cẩn thận. (She is from a noble family, educated very meticulously.)