Definition

1. Noun:
   • Conjugal bonds, marital harmony: "sắt cầm" is a classical, literary Vietnamese term referring to the harmonious bond between husband and wife, likened to the perfect harmony of two ancient musical instruments.
   • Marital love, conjugal affection: The term poetically denotes the deep affection and unity within a marriage.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Họ sống với nhau rất hòa thuận, đúng nghĩa sắt cầm. (They live together in great harmony, truly embodying conjugal bliss.)
  • Câu chuyện cổ tích kể về mối tình sắt cầm của đôi vợ chồng trẻ. (The fairy tale tells of the marital love of the young couple.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in classical, literary, or poetic contexts. It is considered archaic in modern everyday speech but may appear in formal writing, literature, or when discussing traditional concepts.
• It often carries a connotation of ideal, harmonious, and lasting marital love.

Variants and Related Words

• Cầm sắt: This is the more common variant of the same term, with identical meaning and usage. "Sắt cầm" and "cầm sắt" are interchangeable.
• Ân ái: (n) Conjugal love, intimacy. (Less literary, more direct).
• Hôn nhân: (n) Marriage, matrimony. (The general, modern term).

Synonyms

• Giai lão: (Literary) To grow old together in harmony.
• Đồng khóa: (Literary) Literally "same lock," implying an inseparable bond, often used for couples.
• Vợ chồng hòa hợp: (Modern phrase) Harmonious husband and wife.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Đàn sắt đàn cầm: Literally "the zither and the zither." This is the literal origin of the term "sắt cầm," referring to the two instruments that, when played together, produce perfect harmony. It is the basis for the metaphorical meaning.
  • Tình cảm của họ như đàn sắt đàn cầm. (Their affection is like the harmony of the sắt and cầm zithers.)

1. (từ cũ) xem cầm sắt