trâm anh

Một cô gái cài chiếc trâm anh lên mái tóc đen dài.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Noble lineage; aristocracy; the elite: A term originating from feudal society, referring to families of high social rank, typically those with a tradition of scholarly achievement and holding official positions. The literal meaning refers to the hairpin (trâm) and the hat ribbon (anh), which were symbols of the scholar-official class.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy xuất thân từ một gia đình trâm anh. (He comes from a family of noble lineage.)
  • Dòng họ đó là một dòng họ trâm anh thế phiệt. (That clan is an illustrious and powerful aristocratic clan.)
  • Vẻ ngoài thanh tao cho thấy cô ấy là con nhà trâm anh. (Her elegant appearance shows she is from a well-bred, elite family.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical or literary contexts to describe the traditional aristocracy of Vietnam's feudal past. It implies not just wealth, but also education, refinement, and official status.
• It can be used in the fixed phrase "con nhà trâm anh" (child of a noble family) to describe someone with an aristocratic background or refined upbringing.

Variants and Related Words

• Trâm anh thế phiệt (Noun phrase): The aristocracy; noble and powerful families. This phrase emphasizes both elite status and influential power.
  • Những gia tộc trâm anh thế phiệt thường sống trong khu vực riêng. (The aristocratic and powerful families often lived in a separate area.)

Synonyms

• Aristocracy: The highest class in certain societies, typically comprising people of noble birth holding hereditary titles and offices.
• Nobility: The group of people belonging to the noble class in a country, especially those with hereditary or honorary titles.
• Elite: A select group that is superior in terms of ability, qualities, or social status.
• Gentry (historical): People of good social position, specifically the class of people next below the nobility.

Related Idioms

• Dòng dõi trâm anh: (Of) noble descent; coming from an aristocratic lineage.
  • Chàng trai ấy thuộc dòng dõi trâm anh. (That young man is of noble descent.)