Definition

1. Noun:
   • Heroine; female hero: A woman admired for her outstanding courage, noble qualities, or great achievements, especially in the face of difficulty.
   • A woman of exceptional talent and strength: Refers to a woman who demonstrates remarkable ability, character, and influence in a particular field or situation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bà Triệu được sử sách tôn vinh là một nữ kiệt của dân tộc. (Lady Trieu is honored in history as a national heroine.)
  • Cô ấy thực sự là một nữ kiệt trong lĩnh vực khoa học. (She is truly a heroine in the field of science.)
  • Những nữ kiệt thời xưa đã truyền cảm hứng cho nhiều thế hệ phụ nữ. (The heroines of old have inspired many generations of women.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nữ kiệt anh hùng": This is a reinforcing phrase combining "nữ kiệt" (heroine) and "anh hùng" (hero), used to emphasize extraordinary heroic qualities.
  • Người phụ nữ đó là một nữ kiệt anh hùng, dám đứng lên chống lại bất công. (That woman is a heroic heroine, daring to stand up against injustice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Anh hùng (noun): Hero (general term, can be male or female, though often implies male).
  • Anh ấy là một anh hùng dân tộc. (He is a national hero.)
• Nữ anh hùng (noun): Female hero; a more direct, modern compound for "heroine". While "nữ kiệt" has a classical, literary tone, "nữ anh hùng" is a clearer descriptive phrase.
  • Cô ấy được ca ngợi như một nữ anh hùng. (She is praised as a female hero.)

Synonyms

• Nữ tướng: Literally "female general"; often used metaphorically for a woman who is a leader or a commanding figure in a field.
  • Bà là một nữ tướng tài ba trong làng thời trang. (She is a talented "female general" in the fashion world.)
• Nữ lưu kiệt xuất: An elegant, literary phrase meaning "outstanding/exceptional woman".

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• Connotation and Register: "Nữ kiệt" carries a strong, formal, and often historical or literary connotation. It is used to describe women of legendary or exceptional stature, more so than in everyday contexts. It is less commonly used for contemporary figures in casual speech than the phrase "nữ anh hùng".
• Historical vs. Modern Context: The word is frequently used in historical narratives about legendary Vietnamese figures (e.g., the Trung Sisters, Lady Trieu). In modern contexts, it is used for women with monumental achievements.

1. Heroine