thứ phi
Definition
- Noun:
- Secondary consort / Secondary wife: A formal title for a royal concubine or a secondary wife of a king or emperor, ranking below the primary wife (Hoàng hậu/Empress or Vương hậu/Queen).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Vị thứ phi đó được vua rất sủng ái. (That secondary consort was deeply favored by the king.)
- Trong cung có nhiều bà thứ phi. (There were many secondary consorts in the royal palace.)
Advanced Usage
- The title "thứ phi" indicates a specific, often officially recognized, rank within a polygamous royal hierarchy. It is a historical term.
Variants and Related Words
- Phi (n): A general term for an imperial consort or concubine.
- Hoàng hậu (n): Empress, the primary wife of an emperor.
- Quý phi (n): Noble consort, a high-ranking consort title, often above thứ phi.
Synonyms
- Royal concubine: A woman in a monarch's harem.
- Secondary wife: A wife of lower status than the principal wife.
Related Concepts
- Hậu cung (n): The royal harem or the part of the palace housing the monarch's wives and concubines.
- Cung tần (n): Palace women, a broader term for female attendants and consorts.