Definition

1. Noun:
   • Wife of a nobleman or high-ranking official: A respectful and formal term used to refer to the wife of a feudal lord, high-ranking mandarin, or aristocrat.
   • Lady; Madam: A polite and honorific title for a woman of high social standing or nobility.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đại sứ và phu nhân sẽ tham dự buổi lễ. (The ambassador and his wife will attend the ceremony.)
  • Phu nhân của tướng quân rất đức hạnh. (The general's wife is very virtuous.)
  • Kính chào phu nhân. (Greetings, Madam.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in formal, diplomatic, historical, or literary contexts to show respect. It is not used in casual, everyday conversation to refer to one's own wife.

Variants and Related Words

• Quý phu nhân: An even more respectful variant, meaning "esteemed lady" or "honorable madam."
  • Xin kính chào quý phu nhân. (My sincere greetings to the esteemed lady.)

Synonyms

• Madam: A polite form of address for a woman.
• Lady: A woman of high social position or good manners.
• Consort: A wife, especially of a monarch.
• Spouse: A person's partner in marriage (formal).

Related Idioms

• Phu nhân của một vị tướng: This is not a fixed idiom but a common descriptive phrase meaning "the wife of a general," illustrating typical usage.
  • Phu nhân của một vị tướng thường đảm đương nhiều việc từ thiện. (The wife of a general often undertakes many charitable works.)

noun

1. mistress