Definition

1. Noun:
   • A wealthy and noble family; a family of high status and affluence: "Ngọc đường" is a classical Vietnamese term used to describe a rich, aristocratic, or prestigious household. It evokes images of luxury, jade, and gold, symbolizing high social standing and material wealth.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Xuất thân từ một gia đình ngọc đường, cô ấy có một tuổi thơ đầy đủ. (Coming from a wealthy and noble family, she had a childhood of plenty.)
  • Câu chuyện kể về mối tình giữa chàng thư sinh nghèo và tiểu thư con nhà ngọc đường. (The story tells of a love between a poor scholar and the daughter of an affluent family.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively found in classical literature, poetry, and historical contexts. It is considered archaic in modern Vietnamese.
• It is often used in the fixed, poetic phrase "kim mã ngọc đường" (golden horse, jade hall), which is a metaphor for a life of extreme luxury, high official rank, and aristocratic splendor.
  • Ước mơ công thành danh toại, bước vào chốn kim mã ngọc đường. (The dream is to achieve success and enter the world of golden horses and jade halls—i.e., a world of high office and luxury.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kim mã ngọc đường (idiomatic phrase): A set phrase meaning a realm of high nobility, luxury, and official prestige.
• Gia đình quyền quý (noun): A noble, powerful family (a more modern synonym).
• Nhà giàu sang (noun): A rich and classy family (a simpler, more contemporary equivalent).

Synonyms

• Gia đình giàu có: Wealthy family.
• Gia đình quý tộc: Aristocratic/noble family.
• Phú quý: Wealth and high status.

Related Idioms

• Kim mã ngọc đường: As mentioned above, this is the most closely related idiom, directly incorporating the target word. It paints a vivid picture of aristocratic life with symbols of gold and jade.

1. (từ cũ) Wealth family