Definition

Noun: 1. A young married woman: A woman who is young and married. This is the primary and most common meaning, emphasizing both youth and marital status. 2. A young lady / woman: Can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to a young woman, though this usage is less specific and may be considered slightly dated or literary.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cô ấy là một thiếu phụ rất xinh đẹp và đảm đang. (She is a very beautiful and capable young married woman.)
  • Nhóm thiếu phụ trong khu phố thường tập thể dục cùng nhau vào sáng sớm. (The young married women in the neighborhood often exercise together early in the morning.)
  • (Literary) Dáng vẻ của thiếu phụ ấy thật dịu dàng. (That young lady's demeanor is very gentle.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• The term "thiếu phụ" carries a connotation of grace, gentleness, and often a certain level of social standing or refinement. It is a more formal and polite term than simply "phụ nữ trẻ" (young woman).
• It is important to note that while the core meaning specifies a married woman, in some modern or literary contexts, the emphasis can shift more to "youth" and "feminine grace" rather than strict marital status. However, using it for an unmarried woman might be misinterpreted.
• The word is somewhat literary and is used more in written Vietnamese (literature, formal descriptions, journalism) than in everyday casual speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiếu nữ (noun): A young, unmarried woman; a maiden; a girl in her late teens/early adulthood. This is the direct counterpart for an unmarried young woman.
• Phụ nữ trẻ (noun phrase): A young woman. This is a more neutral, common, and modern term without the specific marital or refined connotations of "thiếu phụ".
• Tiểu thư (noun): A young lady from a well-to-do family; a miss. Emphasizes high social status or upbringing.

Synonyms

• Người vợ trẻ: A young wife. More direct and common in speech.
• Cô gái trẻ đã có chồng: A young girl who is married. A descriptive phrase.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Dáng thiếu phụ: Having the figure or graceful bearing of a young married woman.
  • Dù còn trẻ, cô ấy đã có dáng thiếu phụ đầy duyên dáng. (Though still young, she already has the graceful bearing of a young married woman.)
• Vẻ đẹp thiếu phụ: The beauty of a young married woman (implying mature, gentle beauty).
  • Cô ấy toát lên vẻ đẹp thiếu phụ đằm thắm. (She radiates a profound beauty characteristic of a young married woman.)

noun

1. young woman