Definition

1. Noun:
   • Wealth and high social status: "Phú quý" refers to the state of being both materially wealthy ("phú") and enjoying a respected, high social position ("quý"). It describes a condition of prosperity combined with honor and prestige.
   • Affluence and nobility: The term combines the concepts of financial abundance and noble standing, often implying a life of luxury and influence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy đạt được phú quý nhờ làm ăn chăm chỉ và đức độ. (He attained wealth and high status through hard work and virtue.)
  • Trong xã hội xưa, phú quý thường đi đôi với quyền lực. (In ancient society, wealth and high position often went hand in hand with power.)
  • Câu chuyện cổ tích thường kể về những người từ nghèo khó vươn lên phú quý. (Fairy tales often tell of people rising from poverty to wealth and nobility.)

Advanced Usage

• "Phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa": A proverb meaning "Wealth and high status breed courtesy/formality" or "Honours change manners." It suggests that when people become rich and respected, they often adopt (or affect) more refined manners and elaborate social rituals.
  • Ông bà ta có câu "phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa" quả không sai. (Our ancestors' saying "wealth breeds formality" is indeed correct.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giàu sang: Rich and elegant; a close synonym often used interchangeably with "phú quý," emphasizing luxurious living.
  • Gia đình ấy sống một cuộc sống giàu sang. (That family lives a rich and elegant life.)
• Phú hộ (Noun): A wealthy person, a rich man (emphasizes the "phú" - wealth aspect).
• Quý tộc (Noun): Nobility, aristocrat (emphasizes the "quý" - noble status aspect).

Synonyms

• Vinh hoa: Glory and splendor; often used to describe the illustrious and luxurious aspect of success and high status.
• Danh gia vọng tộc: A reputable and prestigious family; emphasizes noble lineage and social standing alongside wealth.

Related Idioms

• Phú quý bất năng dâm, bần tiện bất năng di, uy vũ bất năng khuất: An idiom adapted from Mencius, meaning "Wealth and rank cannot make him dissipated; poverty and mean condition cannot make him swerve from principle; power and force cannot make him bend." It describes an upright person of strong character.
• Một đời phú quý: A lifetime of wealth and high status.
  • Ông ấy hưởng một đời phú quý. (He enjoyed a lifetime of wealth and high position.)

1. Wealth and high-placed
   • Phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa (tục ngữ)
     Honours change manners